Best Ginas Spinach Salad With Spiced Pecans Recipes

GRANDMA'S SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk first 4 ingredients until sugar is dissolved., In a 13x9-in. dish, layer half of each of the following: spinach, onion, mushrooms and eggs. Repeat layers. Drizzle with dressing; top with bacon.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in small frying pan over low heat.
• Add pecans and brown sugar.
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is caramelized.
• Spread out on wax paper to cool.
• In bowl toss together spinach, pecans, apple and cheese.
• Add oil and vinegar and toss again until everything is coated.
• Chef's note: To make ahead for a special dinner--toss apple with dressing. Layer on greens, cheese and pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed, tossing just before serving.

GINA'S SPINACH DIP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it foams, add the shallot and garlic, and saute until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add the flour and cook while stirring until it becomes a light blonde color.
• Slowly stir in the heavy cream, and the drained spinach, and simmer until it starts to thicken, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and cheese and cook until the cheese is melted. Remove to a serving bowl and serve with tortilla chips.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CRANBERRIES, PECANS, BACON, AND BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Fry chopped bacon in a medium skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel-lined 1/4-sheet tray to drain.
• Toast pecans in the oven on a 1/4-sheet tray until lightly golden and fragrant, about 6 minutes.
• In a medium bowl mash the blue cheese with a fork. Mix in the buttermilk, sour cream, sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.
• Combine baby spinach, red onion, pecans, dried cranberries and bacon in large bowl. Toss with the dressing immediately before serving.

GINA'S PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Cheddar cheese, pickles, carrot, celery, bell pepper, onion, banana peppers, salad seasoning, mustard, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Mix well.
• Drain pasta and let cool for about 10 minutes. Toss pasta into the dressing; chill before serving.

FETA CHEESE, APPLE, AND SPICED PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• For the pecans: Combine the butter, salt, cinnamon, ground red pepper, and a dash of hot sauce in a medium bowl. Add the pecans, stirring to coat.
• Spread in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring once. Cool completely on baking sheet on a wire rack.
• For the salad: Combine the lettuces, apple, cheese, and Spiced Pecans in a large bowl; toss gently, and set aside.
• For the dressing: Combine the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper in a jar. Cover tightly, and shake vigorously. Pour dressing mixture over the lettuce mixture; toss gently. Serve immediately.

SPINACH, APPLE & PECAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients; stir in bacon if desired., For dressing, in a small bowl, whisk vinegar, sugar, mustard and pepper until blended. Gradually whisk in oil. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

PENNE WITH SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.
• Mince the garlic in a food processor. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and half of the spinach leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the cheese and spinach mixture aside.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining spinach leaves in a large bowl.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Spoon the pasta atop the spinach leaves in the bowl. Scrape the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Parmesan over and serve.

SPICED PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Spray a sheet pan with the cooking spray or brush it lightly with oil.
• Place the egg white in a large bowl and whisk vigorously for 15 seconds, until light and frothy. Whisk in the brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, chile powder, cloves, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the pecans and mix well, until thoroughly coated. Pour the mixture, including any liquid, onto the prepared pan and spread in a single layer. Bake for 30 minutes, tossing twice with a metal spatula. Each time you toss the pecans, spread them out again in one layer. When they're done, sprinkle with fleur de sel and allow to cool completely; they will crisp as they cool. Serve at room temperature.

SPINACH AND CITRUS SALAD WITH SWEET AND SPICY PECANS

Steps:

• Put the spinach and green onions in large salad bowl and sprinkle with the halved citrus supremes. In a small saute pan over medium heat, add the butter and sugar and stir until the butter is melted. Add the pecans and toss until the pecans begin to brown. Stir in the rosemary and cayenne and stir just a few seconds to release the aroma. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sprinkle the pecans on the salad while still warm. Drizzle the dressing over salad and serve.
• In a small bowl, add all the ingredients and whisk until emulsified.

GIADA DE LAURENTIIS'S PENNE WITH SPINACH SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add the penne and cook until it is tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 12 minutes.
• Mince the garlic in a food processor. Add the goat cheese, cream cheese, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, 1/2 teaspoon of pepper, and half of the spinach leaves. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Set the cheese and spinach mixture aside.
• Meanwhile, place the remaining spinach leaves in a large bowl.
• Drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid. Spoon the pasta atop the spinach leaves in the bowl. Scrape the cheese and spinach mixture over the pasta mixture and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten. Season the pasta, to taste, with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the Parmesan over and serve.

SPINACH SALAD WITH PEARS & CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• In a small heavy skillet, melt butter. Add brown sugar; cook and stir over medium heat until dissolved. Add pecans; cook for 3-5 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Spread onto foil to cool., In a small bowl, whisk the oil, sugar, lemon juice, onion and salt; set aside. Just before serving, in a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, pears, cheese and candied pecans. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.