Rach's "Statement" Spinach Salad With LOTS of Bacon

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey bacon is lower in fat while smoked sausage can be more affordable.

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: goat cheese

💰Cheaper: crumbled cotija

Goat cheese offers a similar tanginess with fewer calories.

red wine vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: white vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is often considered healthier with a milder flavor.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier, while canola oil is more budget-friendly.

Prepare a giant salad bowl filled with about 10 cups of fresh spinach.

Slice two Braeburn apples and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over them to prevent browning, then add the apples to the salad bowl.

Add about 8 ounces of smoked blue cheese to the salad bowl.

In a separate bowl, combine 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, salt, black pepper, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons grainy Dijon mustard, granulated garlic, granulated onion, and smoked paprika to make the dressing.

Shake the dressing to mix it well.

Cook 1 pound of bacon until crispy, then crumble it into pieces and add it to the salad bowl.

Optionally, add pulled or chopped rotisserie chicken to the salad.

Add toasted walnuts to the salad.

Sauté onions with bay, sage, and thyme until they are warm and fragrant, then add them to the salad to help wilt the spinach.

Spread toasted sourdough croutons around the salad.

Pour the dressing over the entire salad.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens