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

Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Pecans, Bacon, and Blue Cheese image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Time 25m

Yield 3 to 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound hickory smoked bacon slices, roughly chopped
1/2 cup pecans, toasted and roughly chopped
Two 6-ounce containers baby spinach
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup Danish blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 teaspoon sugar
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper

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.