Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad

Recipe courtesy Michael Chiarello

Show: Food Network SpecialsEpisode: All-Star Holiday Party

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (29)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(29)

Cook Time:
12 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
6-8 servings

Times:

Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 12 min
Total:: 32 min

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Ingredients

6 cups loosely packed stemmed baby spinach
1/2 cup (5 ounces) fresh goat cheese (recommended: Laura Chenel)
1/3 pound thick-sliced pancetta, cut into strips about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch wide
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
1/4 cup sherry vinegar
Sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions

Put the spinach in a large bowl. Crumble the cheese over the spinach. Cook the pancetta in a medium skillet over medium heat until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain the pancetta in a sieve set over a heatproof measuring cup, reserving the rendered fat. You will need 1/4 cup for the dressing. If necessary, add enough olive oil to make 1/4 cup. Pour the fat back into the pan and add the pancetta. When the pancetta is warm again, add the garlic and cook until light brown, about 30 seconds, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme and let it crackle in the fat for about 10 seconds. Add the vinegar, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for about 30 seconds to lower the acidity of the vinegar. You should see tiny drops of vinegar dispersed throughout the fat. Add the dried cranberries and stir. Pour the dressing over the spinach and cheese. Toss to coat the leaves evenly and melt the cheese a little. Serve immediately.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
juli homer glen, IL 12-19-2008
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very high fat
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Wow, I hate to be negative, but I didn't realize before I invested in the ingredients that the dressing would be made up of... primarily bacon fat. The other thing is that as much as we love goat cheese, it seemed over powering, I don't think mine melted enough. Then, I used reguar cooking sherry from the grocery store. If I had to do this over again, I would buy regular wine, use a higher concentration of olive oil and a hint of bacon fat and use much more spinach than the recipe calls for. I had a stomach ache after eating it. We're just not used to eating such high fat. The actual ingredinets seem like they marry nicely together. Read more
recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
Karen Cape May Court House, NJ 12-04-2008
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GREAT FOR HOLIDAY DINNERS
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

MY ENTIRE FAMILY ABSOLUTELY LOVES THIS SALAD - OFTEN TIMES I SUBSTITUTE TURKEY BACON FOR THE PANCETTA BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER IS... NOT FOND OF PORK AND I'LL USE A PINT OF GRAPE TOMATOES HALVED INSTEAD OF THE CRANBERRIES, VERY DELICIOUS AND PRETTYRead more
recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
Alicia Houma, LA 11-15-2008
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UM UM GOOD!!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This salad is DELICIOUS! I made a few substituitions because of what I had on hand. Instead of cranberries, golden raisins,... instead of panchetta, bacon, and instead of sherry vinegar, white wine vinegar. Oh, I also took the advice of another reviewer and sprinkled walnuts on top.Read more
recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
Liz Omaha, NE 09-10-2008
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This salad ROCKS!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This is THE BEST salad ever. Sweet, tangy, salty, crunchy, soft, spicy all in one salad. I have made this numerous times and... it NEVER disappoints!Read more
recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
Ruth San Jose, CA 08-23-2008
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Easy! FAST! GOOD!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

this recipe is so good, i made it and everyone gobbled it up like it was choclate. I reccomend this recipe to any1 who has... good taste. -RuthRead more
recipe Warm Pancetta, Goat Cheese and Spinach Salad
Anonymous 09-24-2007
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To Die For!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

This was awesome! I will definitely make this one again. It's really important to serve this right away while it's still... warm. Great salad.Read more