Warm Bean Salad With Balsamic Bacon Vinaigrette Food

SPINACH SALAD WITH WARM BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the spinach and wash, drain and pat dry thoroughly. Place into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Place the eggs into an electric kettle and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch. Turn the kettle on. Once the water comes to a boil, the kettle will turn itself off. Leave the eggs in the water for 15 minutes. Remove and peel off the shell. Slice each egg into 8 pieces and set aside.
• While the eggs are cooking, fry the bacon and remove to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
• Transfer the fat to a small saucepan set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper.
• Add the mushrooms and the sliced onion to the spinach and toss. Add the dressing and bacon and toss to combine. Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg among them. Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.

BALSAMIC GREEN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Place beans in a 6-qt. stockpot; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Cook, covered, 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place in ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, salt, garlic powder, mustard and pepper. Drizzle over beans. Add onion; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour. Just before serving, stir in tomatoes and cheese.

BEAN SALAD IN BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, whisk together the vinaigrette ingredients.
• Combine the vegetables and add enough vinaigrette to coat. Refrigerate and allow the salad to marinate.

BALSAMIC THREE-BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Fill a Dutch oven three-fourths full with water; bring to a boil. Add green beans; cook, uncovered, 3-6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately drop into ice water. Drain and pat dry., In a large bowl, whisk vinaigrette, sugar, garlic and salt until sugar is dissolved. Add canned beans and green beans; toss to coat. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Stir in basil just before serving.

WARM BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 T drippings in skillet.
• Cook shallots and garlic in hot drippings for 3 minutes, or until tender. Add brown sugar and cook stirring constantly for one minute or until sugar is dissolved.
• Process garlic mixture, orange juice, and remaining ingredients in blender until combined.
• FYI the cooked bacon is not actually used in this recipe, but you can top your salad with it if desired.

BACON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels (reserve as garnish for Spinach Salad with Shrimp and Fennel). Remove skillet from heat. Reserve 3 tablespoons drippings in skillet; mix in oil. Whisk vinegar, shallots, garlic and brown sugar in small bowl. Add to drippings in skillet. Stir over medium-low heat just until warm. Season with salt and pepper. Use warm.

BACON AND BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Slice bacon into 1/2 inch pieces and fry until just crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Remove bacon from pan, and all but 2 Tbsp of the bacon fat.
• Gently saute the onion until just soft, making sure not to brown.
• Add the brown sugar, blend in and then add the vinegar. Reduce for a minute or two.
• Add the olive oil, as much as to your taste and the salt and pepper to taste.
• Cool, but do not refrigerate. Dress your salad just before serving.
• Serve this warm or at room temperature over a salad of hearty greens like romaine. I usually add some very finely sliced red onion rings, mushrooms and homemade croutons, but let your imagination work here. I've thought of trying it in the summer with just onions and fresh sliced strawberries.

WARM BEAN SALAD WITH BALSAMIC-BACON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• To make the dressing, put the bacon in a medium heavy nonstick skillet set over moderately low heat, cover and cook until it's crisp and browned and has rendered it's fat out, about 8 minutes Add the onions, cover and cook until they are wilted, about 5 minutes adding 1 Tbls of water if necessary to prevent sticking Remove the lid and continue cooking until the onions are golden brown, about 8 minutes Add the bay leaves, balsamic vinegar and water, simmer for 30 seconds.
• Stir in the beans and salt to taste.
• Simmer 5-10 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the beans are heated through Pepper generously and stir in the parsley.
• Serve warm.