Creole Spinach Salad Food

THE BEST SPINACH SALAD EVER

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread the slivered almonds onto a baking sheet, and toast until the nuts start to turn golden brown and become fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Watch the nuts carefully as they bake, because they burn quickly. Once toasted, set the nuts aside to cool to room temperature.
• Mix together the mayonnaise, milk, and sugar in a large salad bowl. Stir in the bacon bits and Parmesan cheese until the dressing is well combined and creamy.
• Place the spinach leaves, chopped cauliflower, and toasted almonds into the salad bowl, and stir lightly to coat with dressing.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in small frying pan over low heat.
• Add pecans and brown sugar.
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is caramelized.
• Spread out on wax paper to cool.
• In bowl toss together spinach, pecans, apple and cheese.
• Add oil and vinegar and toss again until everything is coated.
• Chef's note: To make ahead for a special dinner--toss apple with dressing. Layer on greens, cheese and pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed, tossing just before serving.

CREOLE SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare, macerate the minced garlic in the extra virgin olive oil for at least 15 minutes, preferably while preparing the remaining ingredients. Set aside.
• In a skillet, preferably non-stick, render the fat from the bacon over medium heat. This will take about 5-10 minutes. When the bits of bacon are cooked, remove them and set aside, leaving the hot fat in the pan.
• Add the celery, onion, and green pepper and saute until the onions become translucent. Retaining as much of the extra virgin olive oil as possible, add the minced garlic and saute until the garlic turns light brown on the edges.
• Add the andouille sausage and saute until browned. Add the cilantro, balsamic vinegar, and molasses and stir.
• Wile the liquids reduce, prepare a salad bowl or serving platter with a bed of the spinach greens. Layer the lump crab meat, slivered almonds, and feta cheese over the spinach. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the remaining extra virgin olive oil to the hot skilled and spoon it over the salad to serve.

GRILLED SPINACH SALAD WITH SPICY CREOLE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Fire up the grill to medium-high.
• Cook's Note: The order of food on the grill for the Spinach Salad is - Asparagus and red bell pepper chunks go in the wok first, then the spinach. The shrimp go on the grill about 5 minutes after the asparagus and red pepper.
• For the salad:
• Spray your grill grid wok with olive oil cooking spray (away from the grill). Put the wok on the grill and once it is hot, add the chopped asparagus and red pepper. Drizzle with olive oil (maybe 1 to 2 tablespoons), season with salt and pepper and stir. Cook for about until veggies glisten, about 10 minutes. Add the spinach and toss, allowing the grill to do its thing. Once the spinach begins to turn dark, meaning it has begun to cook, which takes about 5 more minutes). Take the salad off the grill and put it in a microwave/oven safe bowl (I do this in case I need to put it in a warm oven for 1 or 2 minutes, while everything else finishes up. This salad is best when hot. Immediately squeeze the lemon juice over the top, add the feta cheese and toss. Steam should rise up from the bowl and you're ready to eat this!
• For the shrimp:
• Add shrimp and marinade to a 1 gallon resealable bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (longer is better). Skewer the shrimp onto flat metal skewers (so you can turn the shrimp without them spinning) and grill until pink), a few minutes on each side, basting with the marinade as they cook. Remove from the grill to a serving platter, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve with the spinach salad.
• A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare croutons, heat the oil in a large nonstick saute pan over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Add the bread cubes, stirring and tossing in the pan to evenly coat the bread with the oil. Sprinkle in the Cajun seasoning while stirring continuously. Toast for 5 minutes, until golden brown. Reserve for garnishing the salad.
• To make the dressing, place the anchovy and garlic into a food processor, cover, and pulse on and off several times. Add the egg, and, with the motor running, slowly add the vegetable and olive oils. Add the cheese, mustard, lemon and lime juices, water, Cajun seasoning, pepper, and salt; process briefly until ingredients are incorporated. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a large bowl, toss romaine with the dressing, allowing approximately 3 tablespoons of the dressing per serving. Serve on chilled salad plates; top with croutons and additional Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until thoroughly mixed. Store in an airtight container. The spice mix keeps its best flavor for about two months.

CREOLE TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• 1. To prepare salad, alternate tomato and onion slices on a platter. Sprinkle with salt. Top with mint and chives.
• To prepare vinaigrette, combine oil, vinegar, mustard, and garlic in a jar. Cover tightly, shake vigorously.
• Drizzle vinaigrette over sald and serve at room temperature.

CORN AND SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a small heavy skillet, cook walnuts over medium heat until toasted, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar and vinegar. Cook and stir for 2-4 minutes or until sugar is melted. Spread on foil to cool., In a large bowl, combine the spinach, red pepper, onion, corn, cheese and cranberries; sprinkle with walnuts. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Serve with salad.

CREOLE CREAMED SPINACH

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until crisp, stirring occasionally.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel, set aside.
• Cook onion in drippings until tender, about 6 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add spinach, half-and-half and seasoning; mix well and simmer 2 minutes.
• Add salt to taste.
• Transfer to a serving dish; top with bacon.

SPINACH CAPRESE SALAD

Steps:

• Spread the spinach out on a serving plate. Place the slices of tomato on the bed of spinach. Top each slice of tomato with a slice of fresh mozzarella. Sprinkle the basil over the salad and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CURRY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim the rind from the bacon and cut into 1 inch cubes. Place bacon in a large, deep skillet. Cook over medium high heat until brown and crispy. Cover and reduce heat to lowest setting to keep bacon warm.
• In a small, dry skillet, toast curry powder over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from heat.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Add oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly, until the oil is completely incorporated. Add curry powder and whisk until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, toss together the bacon, spinach, mushrooms and vinaigrette until evenly coated. Adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.

CHEF'S SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the onion, vinegar and sugar; let stand for 15 minutes. On a serving platter, arrange the spinach, tomatoes, corn, ham, turkey and cheese. Drain onion mixture and place onions over salad. In a bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Serve with salad.

DELICIOUS SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Mix spinach, carrots, croutons, green onions, black olives, feta cheese, black beans, and pine nuts together in a large bowl.
• Whisk olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl. Drizzle over spinach mixture; stir to coat.

CREOLE CAESAR SALAD

Steps:

• Wash the lettuce heads carefully by gently unfolding the leaves from the body of the lettuce and allowing cold water to flush away any dirt or sand from the stems. Turn the heads upside down and allow to drain.
• Cut the lettuce widthwise into 1/2-inch wide strips. Place the lettuce strips in a large bowl; dry thoroughly with paper towels. Use 1/2 the oil and gently toss the lettuce until all of the lettuce is completely covered with oil.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the remaining oil, garlic, Creole mustard, lemon juice, black pepper, soy and fish sauces until a smooth emulsion is achieved (about 2 minutes). Crack the eggs and whisk them into the dressing thoroughly.
• Pour the dressing over the salad, toss the lettuce to completely coat all of the leaves. Chill salad well but no longer than 2 hours. Add cheeses, toss gently, add croutons. Serve.