Spinach Salad With Gorgonzola Croutons And Bacon Twists Recipes

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, cashews and cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the remaining ingredients. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.

Steps:

• Put racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°F.
• Twist each bacon slice into a tight spiral and arrange twists on rack of broiler pan, pressing ends onto pan(twists will unravel somewhat as they bake).
• Bake in upper third of oven until crisp, about 30 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Meanwhile, mash together Gorgonzola and butter in a shallow bowl with a fork. Spread generously on bread slices.
• Cut slices into 1-inch squares and arrange on a baking sheet.
• After bacon has cooked for 15 minutes, put croutons in lower third of oven. Bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• While croutons bake, using a large heavy knife, mince and mash garlic to a paste with salt.
• Combine mayonnaise, oil, vinegar, honey, and garlic paste in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Toss together spinach, warm croutons, and onion in a servng bowl and toss with dressing. Top with bacon twists and eggs.

Steps:

• Gorgonzola Croutons: Preheat oven to 375°; mash cheese and butter together with a fork and spread half on one side of each of the slices of bread; cut into 1" pieces and place on a baking sheet, cheese side up.
• If not making bacon twists go ahead and bake croutons until golden, about 15 minutes; if making bacon twists, the croutons and bacon can be baked together, so prepare the bacon twists.
• Bacon Twists: Twist each slice of bacon tightly into a spiral and place on the rack of a broiler pan; press ends of bacon onto the pan, the twists will unravel a bit as they cook.
• If baking both the croutons and bacon, put the croutons in the upper third of the oven and the bacon in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, or until croutons are golden and bacon is crisp; drain the bacon on paper toweling.
• Dressing: Combine all the ingredients and whisk until emulsified.
• Salad: In large bowl toss together the spinach, croutons and onion; plate and add the bacon twists and egg;drizzle the dressing over the salad.

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients, season with salt and pepper to taste; set aside.
• Place the baby spinach in a large glass bowl, and toss with black pepper and a small amount of salt (or omit the salt).
• Arrange the sliced mushrooms, sliced onions and olives on top (you can cover and chill while making the bacon and warmed cheese mixture).
• In a frypan cook the bacon pieces until crisp; remove to a paper towel and pour off all but 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.
• Reduce the heat to low.
• Add in the cheese, whipping cream and the wine vinegar/Dijon mixture; stir until cheese has melted and the mixture is smooth (DO NOT BOIL!).
• Pour the warm dressing over the salad, or serve on the side.
• Sprinkle with cooked bacon.

Steps:

• Gorgonzola Croutons: Preheat oven to 375°; mash cheese and butter together with a fork and spread half on one side of each of the slices of bread; cut into 1" pieces and place on a baking sheet, cheese side up.
• If not making bacon twists go ahead and bake croutons until golden, about 15 minutes; if making bacon twists, the croutons and bacon can be baked together, so prepare the bacon twists.
• Bacon Twists: Twist each slice of bacon tightly into a spiral and place on the rack of a broiler pan; press ends of bacon onto the pan, the twists will unravel a bit as they cook.
• If baking both the croutons and bacon, put the croutons in the upper third of the oven and the bacon in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, or until croutons are golden and bacon is crisp; drain the bacon on paper toweling.
• Dressing: Combine the ingredients (garlic, salt, red wine vinegar, honey, mayonnaise and olive oil) and whisk until emulsified.
• Salad: In large bowl toss together the spinach, croutons and onion; plate and add the bacon twists and egg;drizzle the dressing over the salad.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F; toss bacon pieces with bread pieces on a rimmed baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake until bacon is crisp, about 10 to 12 minutes; let cool.
• In a serving bowl, toss spinach, cucumber, bacon and croutons.
• Whisk together dressing ingredients OR place in a lidded glass jar and shake to combine.
• Drizzle salad with 6 tablespoons of dressing and toss well.