Spinach Salad With Candied Pears Pecans And Brie Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray baking sheet with vegetable spray.
• To make the candied pecans, rinse the pecans with cold water.
• Drain but do not let dry.
• In a small bowl, combine the icing sugar, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg.
• Dip the pecans in this mixture to coat well.
• Spread them on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 15 minutes.
• Cool and Chop.
• To make the salad, combine the spinach, radicchio, pear and brie in a large bowl.
• To make the dressing, whisk together the orange juice concentrate, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, honey and mustard.
• Pour over the salad and toss to coat.
• Garnish with the candied pecans and chicken/seafood (if using.).

Steps:

• Wash and dry the spinach until you're absolutely sure it's clean; spinach can hold a lot of grit. When you're sure it's clean and dry, put it in a salad bowl, and sprinkle it with salt, and squeeze the leaves gently with your hands. You'll find that the spinach "deflates," or sort of gets a bit limp and reduces in volume. Add the scallions to the bowl. Pour on the olive oil, and toss the salad thoroughly. Add the lemon juice, and toss again. Top with the pecans, and serve.

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.

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.