Best 9 Spinach Festival Salad Recipes

PERFECT SPINACH SALAD (NO, REALLY)

Steps:

• Make the hard boiled eggs, if using (or make them in advance). Chop them into bite-sized pieces.
• Add the pecans, soy sauce, maple syrup and smoked paprika to a small non-stick skillet over medium heat. When it just starts to bubble, reduce the heat to low but still slowly bubbling. Simmer 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. In the last minute when the liquid is mostly evaporated, stir continuously until it is totally cooked out and the nuts start clumping together. Immediately remove from the heat and transfer the pecans to a sheet of parchment paper in a single layer. Sprinkle with 2 pinches kosher salt and allow to cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes.
• Make the Balsamic Vinaigrette.
• Thinly slice the shallot. If using apple instead of hard boiled egg, thinly slice the apple.
• Place the spinach on plates or in bowls. Top with hard boiled eggs or apple slices, smoky pecans, sliced shallot, and feta cheese crumbles.

THE BEST SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Arrange bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain bacon on paper towels and crumble.
• Layer spinach, bacon, eggs, and onion in a large bowl. Sprinkle with almonds and sunflower seeds. Whisk vegetable oil, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a bowl; pour over spinach mixture and toss. Serve immediately.

BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH DATES AND ALMONDS

Steps:

• Put vinegar, onion and dates in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and mix well with your hands. Leave to marinate for 20 minutes, then drain any residual vinegar and discard.
• Meanwhile, heat butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add pita and cook for 4 to 6 minutes, stirring all the time, until pita is golden. Add almonds and continue cooking until pita is crunchy and browned and almonds are toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes more. Remove from heat and mix in sumac, chile flakes and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside to cool.
• When ready to serve, toss spinach leaves with pita mix in a large mixing bowl. Add dates and red onion, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the lemon juice and another pinch of salt. Taste for seasoning and serve immediately.

CLASSIC SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl toss together the spinach, crumbled bacon, if using or eggs, mushrooms and red onion. Top with your favorite vinaigrette.

PERFECT SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Place the eggs in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Then turn off the heat and allow to sit in the water for 20 minutes. Drain off the water and add ice on top of the eggs.
• Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy/chewy. Remove to a paper towel. Drain the fat into a bowl and reserve. Give the skillet a wipe with kitchen paper.
• Slice the red onion very thinly, and then add to the skillet. Cook slowly until the onions are caramelized and reduced. Remove to a plate and set aside.
• Slice the mushrooms and add them to the same skillet with a little of the reserved bacon fat if needed. Cook slowly until caramelized and brown. Remove to a plate and set aside. Chop the bacon. Peel and slice the eggs.
• Make the hot bacon dressing:
• Add 3 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat, vinegar, sugar, Dijon and salt to a small saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat. Whisk together and heat thoroughly until bubbly. Add the spinach to a large bowl. Arrange the onions, mushrooms and bacon on top. Pour the hot dressing over the top; toss to combine. Arrange the eggs over the top and serve.
• Per serving: Calories 270; Total Fat 22.5 grams; Saturated Fat 7.5 grams; Protein 10 grams; Total Carbohydrate 7 grams; Sugar: 2 grams; Fiber 2 grams; Cholesterol 123 milligrams; Sodium 526 milligrams

BIG FESTIVE SALAD

Steps:

• For the candied nuts: In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, toast the pistachios and hazelnuts until fragrant, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar, salt, vanilla and 1 tablespoon water directly to the pan with the nuts and stir to coat them. Cook until the sugar has dissolved, about 1 additional minute. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow to cool, 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Secure the lid and shake to combine. Set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the arugula, kale and spinach over a large round platter, leaving space in the center of the platter (it should look like a holiday wreath). Top the greens with the radicchio. Arrange the mandarin segments over the greens. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds, cranberries, blueberries and cooled candied nuts.
• Lastly, sprinkle with the Parmesan, creating the look of snow. Shake the dressing one more time and pour it into a serving bowl. Place the bowl in the center of the platter and serve.

SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the spinach and wash, drain and pat dry thoroughly. Place into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Place the eggs into an electric kettle and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch. Turn the kettle on. Once the water comes to a boil, the kettle will turn itself off. Leave the eggs in the water for 15 minutes. Remove and peel off the shell. Slice each egg into 8 pieces and set aside.
• While the eggs are cooking, fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
• Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.
• Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add the dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them. Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.

THE PERFECT SUNDAY BRUNCH SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Place spinach in a large bowl. Arrange bananas, strawberries, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and pine nuts on top. Toss with poppy seed dressing before serving.

EASY AND AWESOME SPINACH SALAD

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.