SPINACH SALAD WITH SHRIMP, FENNEL AND BACON-BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Spinach Salad with Shrimp, Fennel and Bacon-Balsamic Vinaigrette image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

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8 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon fennel seeds, crushed
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
1 3/4 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
12 bamboo skewers, soaked 30 minutes in water
2 fennel bulbs (about 12 ounces total), fronds chopped, bulbs cut into 1/3-inch-thick wedges
2 6-ounce packages baby spinach leaves
2 cups chopped seeded peeled tomatoes
Bacon-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Steps:

Mix 6 tablespoons oil, fennel seeds and crushed red pepper in small bowl. Thread shrimp onto skewers. Place on rimmed baking sheet. Pour oil mixture over; turn to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Brush fennel wedges with 2 tablespoons oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill fennel until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to large bowl. Grill shrimp until opaque in center, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate; tent with foil.
Add spinach and tomatoes to fennel. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle with bacon reserved from vinaigrette. Remove shrimp from skewers and arrange around salad. Garnish with chopped fennel fronds.