Photo: Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon and Apple Cider Dressing Recipe
You wouldn't normally think of a salad as being comfort food, but this is a salad you can really cozy up to thanks to the warm bacon and cider dressing. The warm dressing wilts the spinach so it is softened but retains its shape and toothsomeness. I am also comforted by this salad because even though it is decadent- with bacon- I can relax knowing I don't have to feel the least bit guilty about eating it.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces pre-washed baby spinach
- 2 slices bacon, finely chopped
- 3 ounces Canadian bacon, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, sliced (about 1 cup)
- 1 pound button mushrooms, coarsely chopped
- 1 cup apple cider
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
Directions
Place spinach into a large bowl. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes, or until it is just crispy. Add Canadian bacon to the skillet and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove meat from pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Drain any remaining fat from the skillet. Add olive oil and onions to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, or until onions soften slightly.
Add mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. Put onions and mushrooms on top of the spinach. Add apple cider and vinegar to the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Stir to scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Whisk in mustard, salt and pepper, to taste.
Pour warm cider dressing over the mushrooms and spinach and toss until the vegetables are well coated. Sprinkle the bacon on top and serve.
Nutritional Analysis (Per Serving)
Calories: 410
Total fat: 18g
Saturated fat: 5g
Sodium: 1070mg
Carbohydrates: 46g
Protein: 19g
Fiber: 8g
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By dubailady
Belgium
on January 28, 2012
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Bland! I don't know why...don't get me wrong, i eat raw salad on a daily basis prollly it's because I'm really not a fan of raw spinach, I prefer them cooked. I followed the recipe to a T. Nope, not my type of salad.
By nessa2884
on November 23, 2011
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This is an amazing dish - I do add toasted almonds, and craisens to the bacon/onion mix, also a few cloves of garlic sautéed with the onions. I've never used canadian bacon, just 4 strips of good bacon. I also do not drain the bacon fat, her version is much healthier, but I'm not too concerned about that, the bacon fat just adds such amazing flavor. I do love the dressing, but I use just a packet of spiced apple cider mixed with 1/4 cup water and about a tablespoon or so of apple cider vinegar - let it boil, add a dab of spicy brown mustard, fresh ground pepper and kosher salt - its so so good. And you can keep the dressing and topping in separate containers in the frige and just use what you need - we use this as an appetizer salad for holiday dinners, then top the next day with leftover ham (usually honey baked : for a main dish salad!
By DocGoddess10
San Francisco, CA
on October 25, 2011
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AMAZING. I will definately make this again and again and again. Hubby and I LOVED this. Next time I will make this as the main dish.
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