Weeknight Idea: Warm Bacon and Date Salad

Sometimes salad just doesn't feel like dinner to me. Unless it's unbearably hot outside, I crave a warm meal at the end of the day. But the reality is, after this long hard winter I need a few more salads in my life. Swimsuit season? Woof. 

This salad is a nice middle ground. Substantial and warm, but crisp and low guilt. It's a quick weeknight fix that hits on salty, sweet and bitter. Bacon and cannellini beans provide a nice dose of protein, so you won't be hungry an hour later. Sticky dates round out the flavors and texture. Hits all my targets, so let's call it dinner.

Weeknight Meal: Warm Bacon and Date Salad

1 teaspoon olive oil

4 slices bacon, chopped

1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 handful chopped dates

Curly endive

Warm olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet. Add bacon to the pan and cook until crisp. When the bacon is close to being crisp add cannellini beans and dates. Spoon warm mixture over curly endive and serve immediately. Enjoy!