Warm Apple 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.

SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM BACON AND APPLE CIDER DRESSING

Steps:

• Place spinach into a large bowl. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes, or until it is just crispy. Add Canadian bacon to the skillet and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently. Remove meat from pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Drain any remaining fat from the skillet. Add olive oil and onions to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes, or until onions soften slightly.
• Add mushrooms to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 more minutes. Put onions and mushrooms on top of the spinach. Add apple cider and vinegar to the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Stir to scrape up any bits that are stuck to the bottom of the pan and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until cider is reduced to about 1/2 cup. Whisk in mustard, salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour warm cider dressing over the mushrooms and spinach and toss until the vegetables are well coated. Sprinkle the bacon on top and serve.
• Nutritional Analysis (Per Serving): Calories: 410, Total fat: 18g, Saturated fat: 5g, Sodium: 1070mg, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 19g, Fiber: 8g

WARM-APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat broiler with rack 8 inches from heat. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and mustard; season. Add apples and toss to coat. Transfer to baking sheet and broil until browned at edges and softened, 5 to 8 minutes. Toss lettuce with apples and any juices. Sprinkle with chives.

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.

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.

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.

WARM CHESTNUT AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Toss arugula and endive in large bowl. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover with damp kitchen towel; chill.)
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and shallots; sauté 5 minutes. Add chestnuts; sauté 1 minute. Stir in vinegar, scraping up any browned bits. Remove from heat; stir in walnut oil and remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Pour chestnut mixture over arugula mixture; toss. Divide salad among 8 plates.

WARM APPLE AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Using a glass jar with a tight lid, combine the vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper, and shake well to blend.
• Add the oil and parsley and shake.
• On 4 plates, arrange the endive leaves like spokes around each plate.
• Arrange the watercress or spinach in the center.
• Preheat the broiler, and arrange the sliced apples slightly overlapping in 4 fan shapes, place in broiler pan.
• Cut the cheese into 4 slices and top each apple fan with slices of cheese.
• Broil until golden for approximately 5 minutes.
• Using a spatula, carefully place the apple slices and cheese on top of the endive.
• Drizzle the dressing over the salads and sprinkle with walnuts.
• Enjoy!