Best 5 Lightly Wilted Spinach Salad Recipes

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In the realm of salads, lightly wilted spinach salad stands out with its vibrant green hues and delightful flavors. This refreshing dish is a symphony of textures and tastes, featuring tender baby spinach leaves gently wilted with warm dressing, creating a harmonious balance between crisp and soft. The addition of sweet and juicy strawberries, crunchy almonds, and tangy goat cheese elevates this salad to a gourmet experience. Drizzled with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this culinary masterpiece offers a burst of flavors in every bite, making it an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats, fish, or as a light and healthy meal on its own. This article presents two variations of this delectable salad: a classic lightly wilted spinach salad for those seeking a traditional taste, and a warm bacon dressing spinach salad for those who prefer a more robust and savory flavor profile. Both recipes are easy to follow and promise a delightful culinary experience.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH BALSAMIC-HONEY VINAIGRETTE



Wilted Spinach Salad with Balsamic-Honey Vinaigrette image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     appetizer

Time 20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 pound baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1/4 pound prosciutto, cut in strips
1 garlic clove, minced
1 portobello mushroom cap, sliced
1/2 red onion, cut in rings
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
3 ounces Gorgonzola
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Trim, wash and dry the spinach thoroughly and place in a salad bowl.
  • Coat a saute pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and put over medium heat. Fry the prosciutto and garlic for a minute to flavor the oil, and then add the mushrooms and onions. Saute the mushrooms and onions until they are slightly brown and tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Scrape the mixture on top of the spinach, return the pan to the stove. Add balsamic vinegar and scrape up the bits at the bottom of the pan. Add remaining oil and honey. Swirl pan around for a minute to warm the vinaigrette.
  • Pour the vinaigrette over the salad, top with Gorgonzola. Season with salt and pepper, toss, and serve immediately.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH PICKLED SHALLOTS AND SHERRY VINAIGRETTE



Wilted Spinach Salad with Pickled Shallots and Sherry Vinaigrette image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 bunches spinach, leaves only, well washed and dried
10 pickled shallots (recipe below), slivered
1/2 cup pepitas (see note)
1/2 cup crumbled feta or anejo cheese (optional)
20 medium shallots, unpeeled
1 cup red wine vinegar
1 cup dry red wine
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
2 teaspoons red chile flakes
2 tablespoons Kosher salt

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, salt, pepper, and mustard. Drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly until the dressing is completely emulsified. Assemble all the ingredients for the salad on the counter top just before you are ready to serve it. Turn a gas or electric burner to medium high heat. Using an oven glove to protect your hands, heat a large stainless bowl until it is very hot. Add just under 1/2 cup of the vinaigrette, reserving the rest for another use. Swirl for a minute or two, until the vinaigrette is quite warm. Remove from the heat and quickly throw in the spinach leaves and the shallots. Immediately start tossing the salad mixture with tongs and, as soon as it begins to wilt, serve the salad, sprinkled with the toasted pipettes and, if desired, the cheese.
  • Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and blanch the shallots for 1 minute. Drain in a colander. When the shallots are cool enough to handle, peel them. In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, wine, sugar, mustard seeds, peppercorns, chile flakes, and salt. Stir over low heat until the sugar has dissolved. Add the shallots and bring the liquid to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and let cool completely. Transfer the shallots and all the liquid into a sterilized jar, cover tightly, and use as directed in this recipe, or keep for up to 2 weeks.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD WITH HOT BACON DRESSING



Wilted Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing image

Warm crispy bacon is the star of this simple spinach salad. We upped the ante with tender mushrooms, fresh red onion and hard-boiled eggs for a hearty salad your whole family can enjoy.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

One 5-ounce package baby spinach
4 large eggs
8 slices bacon, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
One 3.5-ounce package cremini mushrooms, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

Steps:

  • Place the spinach in a large bowl and leave at room temperature. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Use a slotted spoon to gently lower the eggs into the water. Boil until both the whites and yolks are set (hard-boiled), about 10 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl filled with ice water and cool completely. Once cool, peel the eggs and cut each into quarters.
  • Meanwhile, put the bacon in a large skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crisp, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Remove half of the bacon fat to a small bowl and reserve.
  • Return the skillet and remaining bacon fat to medium heat. Add the mushrooms, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of black pepper to the same skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes. Pour in the reserved bacon fat, vinegar, mustard and honey and whisk until smooth and emulsified. Taste and season with more salt and pepper.
  • Pour the hot bacon dressing over the spinach and toss until evenly coated and slightly wilted. Transfer to a platter and top with the eggs, red onion and reserved bacon.

LIGHTLY WILTED SPINACH SALAD



Lightly Wilted Spinach Salad image

Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli

Time 10m

Yield makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons canola oil
1 small red onion, peeled and grated on a cheese grater
1 clove garlic, peeled and lightly smashed
Kosher salt
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 pound spinach leaves, stemmed, washed and dried
3 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and chopped

Steps:

  • In a small skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the canola oil. Add the onion and garlic clove and cook, stirring gently, for 2 minutes. Season lightly with salt. Discard the garlic clove. Whisk in the cider vinegar and add 1 teaspoon canola oil. Taste for seasoning. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Place a large heatproof bowl over low heat and add the remaining 1 tablespoon canola oil. When the bowl is warm remove it from the heat and add the spinach. Season lightly with salt and toss with a spoon so the spinach gets coated with the oil and wilts slightly, 1 minute. The spinach should only be partially wilted and still appear somewhat raw. Pour off any water that might accumulate in the bottom of the bowl from wilting and stir in the onion and dressing from the skillet. Add chopped hard-boiled egg. Serve immediately.

WILTED SPINACH SALAD



Wilted Spinach Salad image

An interesting salad that is definitely not low cal! Very popular as a side dish or a meal with my family and friends.

Provided by CHPBD

Categories     Salad     Green Salad Recipes     Spinach Salad Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

6 eggs
1 pound bacon
2 bunches fresh spinach, rinsed and dried
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 eggs
¼ cup white sugar
¼ cup white vinegar
¼ cup red wine vinegar

Steps:

  • Place 6 eggs in a medium saucepan with enough cold water to cover. Bring water to a boil, and immediately remove from heat. Cover, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel, and chop.
  • Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Drain, crumble, and set aside, reserving approximately 1/2 cup of drippings in the skillet.
  • In a large bowl, toss together the spinach and green onions.
  • Heat the reserved drippings over low heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the 2 remaining eggs, sugar, white vinegar, and red wine vinegar. Add to warm grease, and whisk for about a minute, until thickened. Pour at once over spinach, add crumbled bacon, and toss to coat. Garnish with chopped egg.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.7 calories, Carbohydrate 11.1 g, Cholesterol 206.5 mg, Fat 13.1 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 15.8 g, SaturatedFat 4.2 g, Sodium 568.6 mg, Sugar 7.2 g

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, choose young, tender spinach leaves. Avoid any leaves that are wilted or have brown spots.
  • Wash the spinach thoroughly in cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
  • To wilt the spinach, heat a large skillet or saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and cook, stirring constantly, until it is just wilted, about 2 minutes.
  • Drain the spinach in a colander and then squeeze out any excess water.
  • For a more flavorful salad, add some crumbled bacon, chopped nuts, or grated cheese.
  • To make a dressing for the salad, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Lightly wilted spinach salad is a delicious and healthy side dish or main course. It is easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With its vibrant green color and slightly bitter taste, spinach is a nutritious addition to any meal. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy salad recipe, give this lightly wilted spinach salad a try. You won't be disappointed!

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