Citrus Toasted Pecan Salad Food

SPINACH AND CITRUS SALAD WITH SWEET AND SPICY PECANS

Steps:

• Put the spinach and green onions in large salad bowl and sprinkle with the halved citrus supremes. In a small saute pan over medium heat, add the butter and sugar and stir until the butter is melted. Add the pecans and toss until the pecans begin to brown. Stir in the rosemary and cayenne and stir just a few seconds to release the aroma. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the pecans on the salad while still warm. Drizzle the dressing over salad and serve.
• In a small bowl, add all the ingredients and whisk until emulsified.

BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH ROASTED RED ONIONS, PECANS, DRIED CRANBERRIES, CRUMBLED GOAT CHEESE AND CITRUS DRESSING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Slice the onion into thin wedges, through the root end. Toss with the olive oil, season with salt, to taste, and spread out on a baking sheet. Roast until just soft and brown, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Put the spinach and onions in a large bowl. Drizzle with some of the dressing and toss. Add more dressing as needed; spinach should just be lightly coated. Divide salad among 4 chilled plates. Top with pecans, goat cheese, and dried cranberries. Serve immediately.
• Whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, orange juice, Dijon, honey, thyme, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Gradually whisk in the oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream, to make a smooth, slightly thick dressing.

SPINACH PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and dry the spinach until you're absolutely sure it's clean; spinach can hold a lot of grit. When you're sure it's clean and dry, put it in a salad bowl, and sprinkle it with salt, and squeeze the leaves gently with your hands. You'll find that the spinach "deflates," or sort of gets a bit limp and reduces in volume. Add the scallions to the bowl. Pour on the olive oil, and toss the salad thoroughly. Add the lemon juice, and toss again. Top with the pecans, and serve.

MANDARIN ORANGE SALAD WITH SUGARED PECANS

Steps:

• For sugared pecans: combine sugar, margarine, orange juice, cinnamon and red pepper and cook to boiling. Boil for 1 minute. Add pecans and coat well. Bake on cookie sheet at 200 degrees for one hour stirring every 15 minutes. Cool completely and store in air-tight container.
• For dressing: combine all ingredients and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• For salad: combine ingredients, adding pecans and oranges last. Add dressing and gently toss.
• Preparation time does not include cooking pecans.