In the realm of delectable salads, the Italian Spinach Salad shines as a beacon of vibrant flavors and textures. This culinary delight, with its origins in the sun-kissed lands of Italy, is a symphony of fresh baby spinach, tangy red onion, juicy tomatoes, and crisp croutons, all harmoniously united by a luscious homemade balsamic vinaigrette. As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll discover two enticing variations of this classic: a traditional rendition that stays true to its Italian roots and a modern twist that incorporates delightful surprises like roasted pine nuts and crumbled feta cheese. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
**Traditional Italian Spinach Salad:** This classic recipe captures the essence of Italian simplicity and elegance. Fresh baby spinach forms the foundation of this salad, providing a bed of tender greens. Diced red onion adds a piquant sharpness, while ripe tomatoes contribute a burst of juicy sweetness. Crusty croutons, toasted to perfection, offer a delightful textural contrast. The crowning glory is the homemade balsamic vinaigrette, a luscious blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and a touch of garlic, enveloping the salad in a flavorful embrace.
**Modern Italian Spinach Salad with Roasted Pine Nuts and Feta Cheese:** This contemporary take on the Italian Spinach Salad introduces exciting new dimensions of flavor and texture. Roasted pine nuts, toasted until golden brown, impart a nutty richness and a delightful crunch. Crumbled feta cheese adds a tangy, salty note that beautifully complements the other ingredients. The homemade balsamic vinaigrette remains the star of the show, tying all the elements together in perfect harmony.
SUPER SIMPLE SPINACH SALAD
A simple but divine spinach salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette!
Provided by Kathryn
Categories Salads
Time 5m
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Put your spinach into a big bowl. If you're using any add-ins, go ahead and add them now. (See notes for ideas.)
- Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake them up until it's well mixed.
- Pour the dressing over the spinach right before you're ready to serve.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 103 calories, Carbohydrate 10 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 6 grams fat, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 7 grams protein, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 213 grams sodium, Sugar 2 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams unsaturated fat
SPINACH PASTA SALAD
Tangy, garlicky, peppery pasta salad stays fresh for days making it perfect for lunches throughout the week or for an easy make-ahead dinner.
Provided by Mary Younkin
Categories Main Course
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil along with 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, but do not rinse the pasta.
- While the pasta is cooking, place the onions and garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and vinegar to cover the onions. When the pasta has been drained, add it to the mixing bowl and toss well. Add the tomatoes and spinach.
- Toss everything together to mix well and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Taste the salad and add more salt and pepper, as needed. Sprinkle with Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210 kcal, Carbohydrate 23 g, Protein 4 g, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 306 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
SPINACH TORTELLINI SALAD
Easy Spinach Tortellini Salad, loaded with with fresh herbs, tomatoes, mozzarella, and olives, and tossed in a simple homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a little party, or serve it as a side next to chicken or fish. Leftovers will make a great lunch the next day!
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Time 17m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Cook the tortellini pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions (about 5 to 7 minutes). Drain and rinse in cold water.
- Transfer the pasta to a large bowl. Add the rest of the salad ingredients and toss gently.
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, and herbs. Add a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine.
- For best flavor, allow the salad to rest for 30 minutes or so for the flavors to meld before serving. Transfer to a platter and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 378.8 kcal, Carbohydrate 38.2 g, Protein 12.9 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Cholesterol 44.7 mg, Sodium 828.5 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 3.2 g, UnsaturatedFat 6.1 g, ServingSize 1 serving
ITALIAN DRESSING MIX
Great for gifts for co-workers and friends.
Provided by Debby
Categories Side Dish Sauces and Condiments Recipes Salad Dressing Recipes Italian Dressing
Time 5m
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt, onion powder, sugar, oregano, pepper, thyme, basil, parsley, celery salt and regular salt. Store in a tightly sealed container.
- To prepare dressing, whisk together 1/4 cup white vinegar, 2/3 cup canola oil, 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons of the dry mix.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 7.5 calories, Carbohydrate 1.8 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 0.2 g, Sodium 1235.8 mg, Sugar 1 g
EASY AND AWESOME SPINACH SALAD
This is a very easy spinach salad to make. The dressing has some unusual ingredients but is very delicious. I never have leftovers at potlucks when I take this salad.
Provided by Lady Scrapalot
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes Spinach Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place the bacon into a skillet over medium heat, and cook until browned and crisp, turning often, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to absorb excess grease. Crumble the bacon when cool.
- Place the spinach into a large salad bowl, and sprinkle with the bacon, hard-cooked eggs, and onion. Gently toss the salad.
- In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, ketchup, vegetable oil, vinegar, and Worcestershire sauce until the sugar has dissolved. Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.8 calories, Carbohydrate 18.4 g, Cholesterol 57.9 mg, Fat 10.3 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 5.1 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 290 mg, Sugar 15.7 g
ITALIAN SPINACH SALAD - TOH
From TOH Simple and Delicious Mar/April edition 2008. I'm saving this for a spring salad choice when baby spinach is in season locally. It looks very simple to put together. I'm really drawn to it by the warm dressing you use over the salads. Makes 8 salad plates/servings - so adjust as necessary. I've already made a few adjustments based on my personal preferences (cooked bacon over bacon bits, vidalia onion over red, and added the red peppers).
Provided by HokiesMom
Categories Spinach
Time 30m
Yield 8 salads, 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- On eight salad plates, arrange the spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, eggs, bacon, onion, red pepper and dill (if desired).
- In a small saucepan, cook the salad dressing and sugar over low heat until sugar is dissolved.
- Drizzle over the prepared salad plates and then sprinkle the salads with croutons.
- Serve immediately!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.8, Fat 14.4, SaturatedFat 2.5, Cholesterol 53.1, Sodium 779.8, Carbohydrate 9.8, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 6.3, Protein 3.5
ITALIAN SPINACH AND MUSHROOM SALAD
Wishing for a dinner salad that pleases everyone? Here it is!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In large salad bowl, toss all ingredients except dressing. Just before serving, drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 2 1/2, Fiber 11 g, Protein 16 g, SaturatedFat 1 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 770 mg, Sugar 8 g, TransFat 0 g
Tips:
- For best results, use fresh ingredients. Fresh spinach leaves, ripe tomatoes, and crisp bacon will make your salad more flavorful and enjoyable.
- Don't overdress the salad. A light vinaigrette dressing is all you need to enhance the flavors of the salad without overpowering them.
- Serve the salad immediately after making it. This will prevent the spinach from wilting and the bacon from getting soggy.
- If you're short on time, you can use pre-cooked bacon or canned chickpeas. This will save you some time without sacrificing any of the flavor.
- Feel free to experiment with different ingredients. You could add sliced almonds, crumbled feta cheese, or even a hard-boiled egg to your salad. Experiment until you find a combination of ingredients that you love.
Conclusion:
This simple Italian spinach salad is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy your favorite greens. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own personal preferences. So next time you're looking for a light and refreshing salad, give this recipe a try.
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