Best Spinach Salad With Jamaican Vinaigrette And Caramelized Pecans Recipes

SPINACH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS

Spinach Salad With Caramelized Pecans image

Caramelized pecans make this salad especially good. This is a salad they used to serve at the restaurant one of my son's worked at, Rockbottom Brewery. If you want a salad with a bit more punch, try blue cheese instead of the feta.

Provided by SharleneW

Categories Fruit

Time 13m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 (6 ounce) package fresh Baby Spinach (I also like to make it with a combination of freshbaby spinach and baby greens)
1 large granny smith apple, cored, sliced and then cut each slice into bite-size pieces
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar

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.

PECAN SPINACH SALAD

Pecan Spinach Salad image

My family thinks this refreshing salad is sensational. Coated with a pleasant vinaigrette and topped with toasted pecans and blue cheese, it has an impressive look and taste. Though it can be prepared in 10 minutes or less, don't tell my family because they'd never believe it!

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 10m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

3 cups fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1/3 cup real bacon bits
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
DRESSING:
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt

Steps:

In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, pecans, bacon and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 339 calories, Fat 33g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 582mg sodium, Carbohydrate 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

GINA'S SPINACH SALAD WITH SPICED PECANS

Gina's Spinach Salad with Spiced Pecans image

Provided by Patrick and Gina Neely : Food Network

Categories appetizer

Time 25m

Yield 5 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Freshly cracked black pepper
1 cup pecan halves
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 small shallot, minced
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons olive oil
Pinch sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
One 5-ounce package pre-washed baby spinach
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces, fried crisp
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Steps:

Pecans: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir in all the spices and the pecans. Stir and toast the pecans for about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a plate to cool.
Salad: Whisk together the Dijon mustard, shallots, and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Drizzle in the olive oil in a continuous stream, whisking to emulsify. Season with a pinch of sugar, and salt and pepper, to taste.
Add the spinach to a large serving bowl. Toss the greens with the prepared dressing, the bacon, blue cheese, cherry tomatoes and spiced pecans.