Warm Spinach and Pear Salad with Bacon Dressing
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with this Warm Spinach and Pear Salad with Bacon Dressing. Featuring tender baby spinach, juicy slices of ripe pear, and the nutty crunch of toasted walnuts, this salad is elevated with crumbles of tangy blue cheese or creamy goat cheese. The star of the dish is the warm bacon dressing, made from crispy thick-cut bacon, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey for a delightful burst of flavor. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and elegant recipe is ideal for a dinner party starter or a comforting yet refined weeknight side. Serve it fresh to enjoy the irresistible harmony of textures and tastes in every bite!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 2 whole ripe pears (such as Bosc or Anjou)
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Wash and dry the baby spinach thoroughly. Place it in a large salad bowl.
Cut the pears into thin slices, leaving the skin on for texture. Remove the core and seeds.
Toast the walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, tossing occasionally, until fragrant. Set aside to cool.
Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and let it cool slightly before crumbling into small pieces.
Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the skillet. Discard any additional grease or save it for another recipe.
To the reserved bacon grease, add the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together over low heat until the mixture is well combined and warmed through, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Arrange the pear slices over the spinach in the salad bowl. Sprinkle the toasted walnuts and crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese on top.
Drizzle the warm bacon dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine.
Top the salad with the crumbled bacon and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
597 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 47.5 g | 61% | |
| Saturated Fat | 12.1 g | 61% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 63 mg | 21% | |
| Sodium | 1273 mg | 55% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 24.8 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.3 g | 23% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.7 g | ||
| Protein | 22.4 g | 45% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 3% | |
| Calcium | 247 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 418 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
