Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

Name: Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 3 bunches spinach, about 2 pounds, tough stems removed, cleaned; 1 small red onion, cut into slivers; 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound slab or very thick-sliced bacon, cut into 1/4-by-1/2-inch pieces; 1 large shallot, minced; 1/2 cup cider vinegar; 2 tablespoons sugar; 2 tablespoons honey mustard; 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper; 1 one-pound loaf white bread, crusts removed, cut into 1-inch squares

Thick-sliced bacon, along with its melted fat, provide not only flavor but also the hot dressing to wilt the greens in this spinach salad.

Source: Martha Stewart Living, September 2000

Servings

Ingredients

Directions

1. Toss spinach and onion in a large bowl. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil and bacon, and cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned.
2. Transfer bacon to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Remove and reserve 4 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the skillet, and place the remainder back over medium heat. Add the shallot, and cook until softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar, sugar, honey mustard, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved and dressing is hot, about 1 minute.
3. Pour dressing over spinach, add reserved bacon, and toss well. Heat 2 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat in the same skillet. Add half the bread cubes, and toss to coat them evenly. Cook until bread cubes are golden, about 3 minutes.
4. Transfer to a paper towel, and repeat with remaining bread cubes, adding remaining 2 tablespoons bacon fat to pan. Add to salad, and toss well. Serve immediately.