Warm Apple Pistachio Spinach Salad Food

WARM APPLE & PISTACHIO SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add apples and ginger; cook and stir until apples soften and begin to caramelize, 3-5 minutes. Stir in pistachios and Dijon mustard. Reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally., Pour two-thirds of apple mixture over spinach. Add spoonfuls of ricotta cheese; top with remaining apple mixture. Drizzle with honey. Add fresh pepper to taste.

HOT SPINACH APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Remove to paper towels. Drain, reserving 2 tablespoons drippings. , In same skillet, combine vinegar, brown sugar and reserved drippings. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until sugar is dissolved. Cool slightly., Meanwhile, in a serving bowl, combine spinach, apples, onion and bacon. Drizzle with warm dressing; toss to coat. Serve immediately.

APPLE-SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• TOSS spinach with apples, celery and pecans in large bowl.
• ADD dressing; mix lightly.

WARM SPINACH AND MCINTOSH APPLE SALAD WITH BACON

Steps:

• In a skillet set over moderate heat cook the bacon until it is crisp. Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towel and let it drain. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from the skillet.
• Add the onion to the skillet and cook it, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until it is wilted. Add the vinegar, mustard, sugar and salt and pepper, to taste and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring. In a serving bowl combine the spinach and apple. Add the hot dressing and toss to combine and serve.

SPINACH AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Wash spinach and remove tough stems. Break spinach into bite-size pieces.
• Wash apple and cut into thin strips, leaving peel on.
• In a serving bowl, whisk the oil, lemon juice and vinegar; add the spinach and apple, and mix thoroughly to coat well. Season with pepper.

APPLE AND PISTACHIO SALAD

Steps:

• Toast pistachio nuts and set aside to cool.
• Once you've cooled and chopped the pistachios, combine them with the remaining salad ingredients.
• Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a non-reactive bowl.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
• Divide and place a serving on a bed of lettuce.

SPINACH SALAD WITH PISTACHIO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place pistachio in a food processor or blender, and pulse until finely diced. Sprinkle half of diced pistachios onto a large plate.
• Warm oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Press chicken breast halves into the pistachio pieces, adding more diced nuts to the plate as needed. Sprinkle chicken breasts with garlic powder and black pepper. Place in the skillet, and cook until golden brown. Reduce heat to medium low, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Remove chicken to a cutting board, and slice into thin slices.
• Into four bowls, place equal amounts of spinach leaves, tomatoes, avocado, bell pepper, and green onions. Place chicken slices on top. Sprinkle with Parmesan, pour on Balsamic vinegar, and season with black pepper.

WARM APPLE VINAIGRETTE WITH A ROASTED PEAR & SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• This takes 4-5 steps, but you do a few steps ahead of time so then it is just a matter of warming up the vinaigrette and tossing the salad.
• Pecans -- In a small dry saute pan, toast the pecan halves on medium heat for just a couple of minutes until they get lightly brown. You will actually start to smell their toasted flavor. Remove from the pan and cool on a paper towel and then place in a ziplock bag or small tupperware type container and keep until you are ready to make the salad.
• Vinaigrette -- Make this a day or so ahead and then all you need to do is just reheat.
• Step 1: In a small bowl, add add the apple cider, vinegar, honey, and cinnamon stick, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
• Step 2: In a small pot, add the oil and saute the shallots of medium heat until tender. Then add in the apple cider mix and bring to a boil. Continue to cook on medium for about 4-5 minutes to let it reduce slightly.
• Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard and thyme. Add to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Check to see if it needs any salt or pepper. I usually use 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 pepper, but season according to your taste.
• The dressing is done. You can use it right then, or you can put in a small container and refrigerate until later.
• If serving it at a later date, I just whisk the vinaigrette, or my favorite method (just shake it in a small tupperware container) or you can always put it back in the blender or even use and immersion blender and then just reheat in the microwave for 1 minute on medium heat.
• Pears -- You need to make the pears a couple of hours before as I like to serve them chilled. In a medium size bowl, add the melted butter, allspice, and pears and toss well. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil and bake for 15-20 minutes in a 425 degree oven until tender but not too soft and then begin to get lightly brown. Depending on how thick you slice them, they can take anywhere from 10-20 minutes. Remove to a plate to cool. Then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Salad -- In a large bowl add the spinach, red onion, cranberries and set to the side.
• Vinaigrette -- Reheat until warm. Medium heat in the microwave for 1-1 1/2 minutes.
• Finish the Salad -- Add a spoon or two of the vinaigrette over the spinach, cranberries and onions and toss lightly. Divide the spinach between four plates. Finish the salad by topping it with the chilled pears and toasted pecans. Drizzle the warm vinaigrette over the salad and enjoy!
• This will serve 4 large salads or 6 smaller salads.