| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 297 | 19g | 8g | 18g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 2g | 15g | 0.8g |
Every now and then, a dish comes along that truly encapsulates my culinary philosophy. Today, that dish is the Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing. This recipe embodies the unique melding of my West Coast upbringing and my Gujarati roots, presenting a symphony of flavors that somehow feels innately familiar. Imagine biting into a hearty sprinkling of baby spinach, punctuated by the sweet pop of strawberries and blueberries, with the occasional zing of red onions. If your mouth is already watering, I assure you that’s only half the story.
The Magic in the Mixing
What elevates this Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing to new heights is the brilliant coupling of the salad with a homemade dressing. Straights from the pan, the sizzling bacon is transformed into a warm dressing with the addition of apple cider vinegar, honey, and a dash of Dijon mustard. The result is an irresistible tangy, sweet, and smoky concoction that beautifully complements the fresh produce.
More than Just Good Taste
Beyond the explosion of flavors, this salad resonates with me for its health benefits. Leafy greens like spinach are rich in vitamins and minerals. Berries, on the other hand, are celebrated for their antioxidant properties. The dressing, despite its indulgent taste, sports some health benefits too. Apple cider vinegar, for instance, is known to promote blood sugar regulation and heart health.
This salad finds its roots in classic American salads, bearing a striking resemblance to the traditional spinach salad. Yet it would not feel out of place if served alongside hearty Indian dishes such as Biryani or Rogan Josh. That ability to straddle two culinary worlds is exactly why I cherish recipes such as the Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing – they bring my dual heritage to the table in the most delicious way possible!
What You’ll Need
- 6 cups of baby spinach
- 6 strips of thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup of chopped strawberries
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of crumbled blue cheese
- 1/2 cup of chopped pecans, toasted
Method
Step One
Start by preparing the ingredients. Rinse your baby spinach and pat it dry. Chop your strawberries and slice your red onion thinly. Toast your chopped pecans lightly in a pan and set aside. Crumble your blue cheese if it hasn’t been crumbled.
Step Two
Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel to drain. Crumble it once it’s cool enough to handle. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet.
Step Three
In the same skillet with bacon drippings, add the thinly sliced red onion. Cook it over medium heat until it becomes soft and begins to caramelize. This should take about 4-5 minutes.
Step Four
While the onion is cooking, start preparing the dressing in the same skillet. Add the apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard into the skillet and stir. Let it simmer until the dressing reduces slightly. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
Step Five
In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, chopped strawberries, blueberries, crumbled bacon, caramelized onions, and the warm bacon dressing you’ve just prepared.
Step Six
Toss everything together ensuring all ingredients are coated with the dressing. Once mixed, add the crumbled blue cheese and toasted pecans on top. Toss lightly again.
Step Seven
Serve the salad immediately while the dressing is still warm. Enjoy your hearty and delicious Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing!
