SPINACH SALAD WITH GRILLED RED ONION AND TAHINI VINAIGRETTE

Spinach Salad with Grilled Red Onion and Tahini Vinaigrette image

Yield Serves 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

Vinaigrette
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seedpaste)
2 tablespoons coarse-grained mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 small garlic clove, minced
3/4 vegetable oil
Salad
2 large red onions
12 cups (packed) baby spinach,trimmed
10 large radicchio leaves

Steps:

For Vinaigrette:
Combine all ingredients except oil in blender and blend well. Gradually blend in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
For Salad:
Cut onions lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges, leaving root ends intact. Place onions in 15x10-inch glass baking dish. Pour 1 cup vinaigrette over onions, coating evenly. Let marinate 3 hours. Chill remaining dressing. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill onions.)
Prepare barbecue (medium-high-heat) or preheat broiler. Sprinkle onions with salt and pepper. Grill or broil onions until golden. turning occasionally, about 12 minutes. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)
Place spinach in large bowl. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Fill radicchio leaves with spinach. Top with grilled onions. Pass remaining dressing separately.