Spinach Salad

posted in: Spinach Salad | 0

 

Spinach Salad This is a throwback recipe.  My mother made this for the family when I was growing up.  I loved it then and still do now.  Using the bacon grease to make the dressing makes it unbelievably delicious. 

Ingredients
8 oz Baby Spinach
3 Large Eggs
8 Slices Thick Cut Bacon
1 Small Red Onion
½ Cup White Mushrooms
Crumbled Blue Cheese

Dressing
3 TBSP Bacon Grease
½ tsp Dijon mustard
3 TBSP Red Wine Vinegar
1 tsp Sugar

Instructions
Place the eggs in a pot covered with cold water.  When the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and let them sit in the hot water for 20 minutes.  Remove the eggs from the hot water and immediately cool with either ice or cold water.  Peel and slice the eggs. Set aside. 

Cook the bacon and drain on paper towel.  Crumble the bacon and set aside.  Reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon grease.

Wash the baby spinach and remove any large stems.  Drain and pat dry thoroughly.  Place in a large mixing bowl.  Slice the red onion very thin add it to the spinach.   Clean the mushrooms and slice.  Add the mushrooms to the spinach.  Add the sliced eggs and crumbled bacon.

In the same frying pan that you cooked the bacon, add the reserved bacon grease.  Over low heat, whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard.  Season with salt and pepper.   Drizzle the dressing over the spinach and toss to combine.  Sprinkle the crumbled blue cheese over the top.  Serve immediately.

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Cold Pasta Salad

posted in: Cold Pasta Salad | 0

 

Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is so good.  You can make it ahead of time and it gets better and better the longer it sits.  I make this as a side salad for most barbecues, and I have brought it to the beach for lunch.  It’s great. 

 

Ingredients
1 Lb Rotini Pasta
1 Pint Grape Tomatoes – sliced lengthwise
1 Can Small Black Olives – Pitted
6 oz, Feta Cheese
¼ Lb Sliced Pepperoni
½ Lb Hard Salami (Roll of Salami)
2 – 6oz Jars Marinated Artichoke Hearts
2 TBSP Chopped Basil
2 Cups Broccoli Florets – Optional
1 16oz Bottle Italian Salad Dressing
Salt & Pepper

 

Instructions
Boil Pasta following the package directions.  Cook until al dente.  Drain pasta and season with salt and pepper.  In a large bowl, add the hot pasta and ½ the feta cheese.  Mix well.  Add the grape tomatoes, olives, pepperoni, salami, artichoke hearts and cooked broccoli florets.  Toss to combine all the ingredients.  Add the salad dressing and the chopped basil.  Mix thoroughly.  Sprinkle the rest of the feta cheese on top before serving.

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