CRISPY PROSCUITTO AND KALE SALAD

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Introduction

As someone who was recently diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and has spent the last almost thirty years of my life without any dietary restrictions, you can imagine how hard it is now to suddenly become ill to foods I had been enjoying my whole life. My journey to wellness lead me to create each and every one of these recipes featured on Damngoodthyme.

With the diagnosis of MCAS came hormonal imbalances, leading to hypothyroidism and PCOS. What I was unaware of at the time of these diagnoses, was that diet would play the biggest role in helping me achieve remission and lose the weight gained from all of the inflammation my body was under. I began to prioritize eating high protein meals to help with blood sugar imbalances.

While working from home has its benefits, it always seems as though meal times creeps up on me. I often find myself unprepared and in a hurry trying to figure out what to throw together. Between feeding the dogs, and ad-hoc meetings, before I know it lunch time rolls around. This week I had a variety of ingredients in my fridge, and thus this crispy prosciutto and kale salad was created!

Table of Contents

Ingredients

Ingredient Substitutions

How to Make the Dish

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage Instructions

Ingredients

• 4 Cups Dinosaur Kale

• 1 Whole Grapefruit

• 8 oz Prosciutto

• 1/4 cup Dried Figs

• 1/4 cup Diced Shallot

• 2 Tbsp White Wine Vinegar

• 1 tsp Dijon Mustard

• 1 tsp Maple Syrup

• Salt/pepper

Ingredient Substitutions

I don't recommend substituting any of the ingredients in this dish.

How to Make the Salad

1.Crisp the Prosciutto and Shallots: To a hot skillet, add 1 tbsp of olive oil. Add the shallots and prosciutto and let crisp. After 3-4 minutes, remove and let rest on a paper towel covered plate.

2.Massage the Kale: To a large bowl, add the kale. Add in 1 tbsp of olive oil and massage the kale for 3 minutes.

3.Cut the Grapefruit and Dried Figs: Peel the grapefruit and quarter. Slice the dried figs in half.

4.Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, Champagne vinegar, and Dijon mustard until well combined. If you prefer a hint of sweetness, add honey or maple syrup to the dressing and whisk until incorporated. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the quantities to achieve the desired balance of flavors.

5.Serve and Enjoy: Add the grapefruit, dried figs, shallots and prosciutto to the bowl with the massaged kale. Portion out the amount of salad for your meal and dress to your liking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients can I substitute?

I don't recommend substituting any ingredients in this recipe.

How can I make this AIP Compliant?

To make this dish AIP compliant ensure that there are no additives in the prosciutto you are utilizing. Also, for the dressing, either opt for an olive oil based dressing, or remove the Dijon mustard from the dressing.

Storage Instructions

To maintain the crispiness of the prosciutto and the freshness of your Crispy Prosciutto Salad, here are some storage instructions:

Separate Ingredients:

If possible, store the prosciutto separately from the other salad ingredients. This helps prevent it from becoming soggy due to moisture from vegetables or dressing.

Airtight Container:

Store the crispy prosciutto and other salad components in airtight containers to prevent exposure to air, which can contribute to sogginess.

Refrigeration:

Place the sealed container in the refrigerator to keep the salad fresh.

Ensure the temperature is set to 40°F (4°C) or lower to slow down bacterial growth and maintain the quality of the ingredients.

Dressing Separation:

If your salad includes dressing, store it separately until you're ready to eat. This helps to maintain the crispiness of the prosciutto and prevents other salad components from getting too moist.

Last-Minute Assembly:

If possible, assemble the salad just before serving. This ensures that the prosciutto stays crispy, and the other ingredients remain fresh.

Room Temperature Considerations:

If you've prepared the prosciutto separately and want to serve it at room temperature for extra crispiness, take it out of the refrigerator a bit in advance, but assemble the salad just before serving.

Monitor Moisture:

Check the salad for any signs of moisture buildup during storage. If you notice excessive moisture, consider adding a paper towel to absorb it.

By following these storage instructions, you can help maintain the crispy texture of the prosciutto and the overall freshness of your salad until you're ready to enjoy it.

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