Warm Apple Vinaigrette With A Roasted Pear 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.

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.

SPINACH SALAD WITH APPLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Wash spinach and let dry.
• In a bowl whisk together the sugar, vinegar, grated onion, mustard, salt, and vegetable oil. Add the apple.
• Refrigerate spinach and dressing separately until serving time.
• Pour dressing over spinach just before serving and toss. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled bacon and nuts.
• Serve and enjoy!

APPLE-PECAN SALAD WITH HONEY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a serving bowl, combine the lettuce, apple and pecans. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, honey, oil, mustard, salt and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

WARM PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• In a nonstick skillet, saute pear slices for 2-3 minutes on each side or until tender. On salad plates, arrange the greens, pears, onion, blue cheese and sunflower kernels. , In a blender, combine the vinaigrette ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Drizzle over salads.

SPINACH PEAR SALAD WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Wash spinach leaves and dry thoroughly. Transfer to large bowl; sprinkle with onion and blue cheese. Add pear slices.
• In small saucepan, heat oil and vinegar until mixture is steaming. Immediately pour over salad and toss until evenly dressed. Season with salt and pepper; serve immediately.