Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing – Indulge, in the flavors of our Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing, a dish that beautifully blends the freshness of spinach with the richness of bacon dressing. This salad presents a captivating blend of consistencies and tastes that heighten a meal into a remarkable culinary venture. Featuring ingredients like tender baby spinach, crispy bacon and a zesty warm dressing it’s a choice for those who appreciate greens with a hint of luxury.
I can still vividly recall the first time I prepared this salad; it was on a chilly evening when I wanted something light yet satisfying. As I heard the bacon sizzle and saw the dressing come together perfectly I felt like I had discovered something. The true test arrived when my husband and child who were typically wary of anything labeled ‘salad’ took their bites. Their immediate request for seconds was the compliment I could have received. This recipe has now become a practice in our household. Warming both our souls and our plates.
What makes this Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing truly special?
This salad pounds the proportion by incorporating the pacifying goodness of bacon with the wholesome benefits of spinach and mushrooms. With 20 minutes needed to prepare it has become our choice, for busy weeknights. Whether you choose to feature it as the star of the meal or, as an accompaniment this dish can easily cater to your dining preferences.
What You Need To Make This Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Recipe?
Bacon: Bacon isn’t any meat; it’s, about the satisfying crunch, enticing aroma and the heart of this salad. Picture it crackling, eager to share its essence.
Shallots: Shallots are similar to onions but with a more delicate touch. They contribute a flavor that enhances the harmony of all ingredients in the salad.
Cider Vinegar, Honey, and Dijon Mustard: When it comes to our dressing, Cider Vinegar, Honey and Dijon Mustard are like a winning team. Cider vinegar brings a kick honey adds a touch of sweetness and Dijon mustard completes it with a twist.
Baby Spinach: It serves as the perfect base for all our flavors to rest upon. These tender leaves are prepared to absorb all the richness of our dressing.
Mushrooms and Eggs: They play supporting roles, like scene stealers in this production. They provide depth and complexity of taste that keep every bite engaging.
Steps To Make Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing:
Step 1: Start by cooking the bacon in a medium nonstick pan, on medium heat. Stir occasionally. Let it cook until it turns crispy, which should take about 8 to 10 minutes. This is where the magic happens; the bacon not only adds flavor to the salad. Also serves as the foundation for our dressing.
Step 2: While the bacon is sizzling away mix together vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl. This dressing is key to the salad offering a tangy touch to complement the spinach and mushrooms.
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Step 3: Once the bacon reaches that crunchiness, use a spoon to transfer it onto a plate lined with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving that crispy texture without grease.
Step 4: Carefully pour out the bacon grease into a container. Return 4 tablespoons of it back into the pan. Add in the shallots. Let them cook on low heat until they soften up making sure to stir regularly so they absorb all that delicious bacon essence without browning.
Step 5: Mix together the bacon fat and shallots, with the vinegar mixture whisking until you have an inviting dressing that will gently wilt the spinach and bring out all those rich mushroom flavors.
Step 6: Coat the spinach and mushrooms evenly in this dressing. Now is your chance to adjust the seasoning ensuring that each leaf and slice reflects your attention, to detail.
Step 7: When serving distribute the salad onto plates, with care elegantly garnishing each one with egg and crispy bacon. This isn’t just a salad; it’s an expression of affection and coziness presented on a plate.
Tip:
Here’s a great tip, for a Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing; When cooking your bacon take your time. Be smart about using the fat. Cook the bacon slowly over heat until it turns crispy and don’t forget to save the bacon grease. You can then use a bit of this grease to sauté the shallots for your dressing. It’s all, about maximizing the deliciousness of your bacon!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use a different type of vinegar?
You can definitely try out a kind of vinegar if you favor it.
Is there a vegetarian alternative for bacon?
If you’re skimming for a vegetarian choice of bacon consider utilizing smoked tempeh or crispy fried onions for a consistency and taste.
How can I make this salad ahead of time?
To prepare this salad in advance you can assemble the dressing. Cook the ingredients early. Just recall to heat up the dressing before mixing it with the spinach and mushrooms when serving to keep that warm taste that makes this salad stand out.
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
<Remember it later>
Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!
Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon cut into ½-inch pieces
- ¼ c finely chopped shallots from 1 to 2 shallots
- 2½ tbsp cider vinegar
- 1½ tbsp honey
- 1½ tsp Dijon mustard
- Heaping ¼ tsp salt
- Several grinds fresh black pepper
- 6 ounces about 8 cups baby spinach
- 8 ounces white button or baby bella mushrooms thinly sliced (about 2 c)
- 3 hard or soft boiled eggs thinly sliced or cut into wedges
Instructions
- Let's start by cooking the bacon in a pan, over medium heat until it turns crispy, which should take around 8 to 10 minutes.
- While the bacon is cooking, mix cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper in a bowl and set it aside.
- After the bacon is done use a spoon to transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels.
- Save 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat by pouring it into a bowl. Discard the rest. Save it for use. In the skillet cook the shallots in the remaining bacon fat over low heat until they become soft but not browned 1 to 2 minutes.
- Combine the bacon fat and shallots with the vinegar mixture. Mix well.
- Add spinach. Sliced mushrooms to the dressing bowl. Toss everything together until evenly coated. Adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
- Divide the salad onto plates then top, with sliced eggs and crispy bacon. Serve immediately. Enjoy your meal!
Notes
I’m Bitty, owner of nodashofgluten.com, where I share simple, delicious recipes for all tastes, including gluten-free. Check out my “About Me” page for more info!
