by Laura Kleban

Created on: May 07, 2010

Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

Many people love a delicious and healthy spinach salad, but think that it can be too difficult to make at home! I used to think so myself, but the following recipe makes this protein packed salad a breeze to make right in your own kitchen. Follow the instructions step-by-step and enjoy this salad tonight!

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

2 Tsp. cooking oil of choice

4 slices bacon

8 cups fresh spinach leaves

16 cherry tomatoes, halved

1 red onion, sliced into rings

2/3 C. pine nuts, toasted

Dressing ingredients:

3 TBS. Apple Cider Vinegar

3 garlic cloves, crushed through a press

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 tsp. maple syrup

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

3-4 Tbs. Olive Oil

Method:

In a small saucepan, place the eggs and cover with water. Bring this to a boil for 10 minutes, turn off the heat and let the eggs continue to cook for 5 minutes. Pour off the hot water and run the eggs under cold water for about a minute.

In a medium frying pan, cook the four strips of bacon over medium high heat until they are well done. The bacon will continue to brown and cook after being removed from the heat, so try not to overdo it. Remove the bacon to dry on a few paper towels. Leave the drippings from the bacon in the pan; they will be used to make the dressing in a minute!

Meanwhile, wash your spinach well to remove any dirt or sand. Spin dry or shake well and dry the larger leaves with a paper towel if necessary.  Divide the spinach into four large serving bowls.

Top each salad with the cherry tomato halves, red onion rings and pine nuts. Crumble the well cooked bacon over the salads.

Re-heat the bacon drippings over medium-low heat and stir in the cider vinegar, chopped garlic, Dijon mustard, maple syrup and Worcestershire sauce. Heat until bubbling slightly and add the oil at the end, stirring to combine ingredients.

Pour the dressing evenly over the four salads. Top each with a few slices of the hard-boiled egg and serve immediately!

I hope you enjoy this salad. Please feel free to comment on this or any of my other articles!

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