Sandie Lefevers Spinach Salad Food

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

SPINACH SALAD WITH PICKLED STRAWBERRIES AND POPPY SEED DRESSING

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Put the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, egg, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a blender and blend until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Make the salad: Put the strawberries in a nonreactive heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, 1/2 cup water, the bay leaf, sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a low boil and allow the sugar to dissolve. Pour over the strawberries and let stand about 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and drain the strawberries, discarding the liquid.
• In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, red onion, mushrooms and pickled strawberries. Pour the dressing over the salad, toss well and serve immediately.

SPINACH BERRY SALAD WITH CANDIED WALNUTS

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, jam, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the oil in a slow stream and continue whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
• For the salad: Toss together the spinach, blackberries, onions and Candied Walnuts in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss. Using a vegetable peeler, shave some cheese over the top.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the walnuts and stir to coat. Raise the heat to medium, add the sugar and cook until the sugar is dissolved and caramelized, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then transfer the mixture to the baking sheet. Spread the nuts in a single layer. Let the walnuts cool until hardened, about 15 minutes.

BABY SPINACH, FRESH PEA AND FETA CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• You need 2 large handfuls of baby spinach -- check for nasty stalky or wilted bits and then give it a really good wash (nobody likes gritty spinach). Spin dry, and add to a salad bowl with 2 smaller handfuls of fresh peas (unless you are lucky enough to get young peas which are sweet and tender, you should blanch the peas in boiling, unsalted water and leave to cool). Dress the salad at the last minute with olive oil and lemon juice dressing and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.

SPINACH AND SARDINE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach. Turn up the heat, and wilt the spinach in the water left on the leaves after washing. Season with salt and pepper, and remove from the heat. Drain and press out excess water.
• Lightly toast the English muffin. Spread a little mustard if desired over the bottom half and top with the spinach. Lay the sardine fillets over the spinach, and douse with a little lemon juice. If you have a nice ripe in season tomato, lay over the sardines. Spread the top half of the English muffin with mayonnaise, and top the sandwich. Press down and cut in half, or wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat.

MY FAVORITE SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients together in a large bowl.
• To prepare dressing, warm wine vinegar slightly.
• Add sugar and stir to dissolve.
• (If you prefer a tangier dressing, reduce the sugar to 2/3 cup.) If you don't warm the vinegar, you will have trouble getting the sugar to dissolve.
• Allow to cool.
• Add onion, paprika and salt.
• Stir well.
• Add olive oil and blend.
• I prefer to put it in a bottle and shake it.
• Pour over salad and enjoy!

SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES AND PECANS

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients.
• Process next 7 ingredients in blender until smooth, stopping once to scrap down sides.
• Stir in poppy seeds.

SPINACH SALAD WITH STRAWBERRIES AND FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Toss salad ingredients with balsamic vinaigrette.