Tuesday

Spinach Salad with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Bacon and Pine Nuts


This certainly isn't the prettiest salad you'll ever eat, but it is quite flavorful, and delicious!

Last night I found myself with a few cherry tomatoes on the vine which were crying to be used. They had just passed their peak, so I roasted them in a little olive oil, a sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper in a hot oven, until the skins popped and browned slightly.

Roasting tomatoes brings out their sweetness, it's a method I use often if I find myself with under ripe, out of season, not-so-flavorful grocery store tomatoes, or those which are past their prime and must be cooked.



While the tomatoes roasted, I fried up some thick-sliced bacon, (cut into large bite-size pieces before cooking.) I also toasted a few tablespoons of pine nuts (pignoles), and rinsed, drained and de-stemmed the baby spinach leaves.

The simple dressing I devised for this salad complements the flavors and texture very well ~ and you can adjust the proportions according to your own taste. It is simply honey, rough, whole-grain Dijon mustard, and unseasoned rice wine vinegar, whisked together until emulsified. I use almost equal amounts of honey and mustard (I like just a little more mustard than honey) , and enough rice wine vinegar to make it the consistency you like.

It was a good way to use up those past-their-prime tomatoes. I served this along with an asparagus tart for a satisfying dinner.



12 comments:

  1. This with an asparagus tart...heaven!

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  2. Sounds like a delicious dinner, Mary!

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  3. I love spinach salads!! This one looks so yummy!!

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  4. Yum! I have to try roasting cherries one of these days. I may like them that way.

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  5. Now..why do I see pretty AND delicious?:)

    You are far too humble..
    Never change:)

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  6. What a fabulous spinach salad! Yummy flavors in this one!

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  7. This salad looks really great and healthy. I really love that plate as well ;)

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  8. Thank you so much for stopping and leaving comments ~ you are all very kind. :)

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  9. This salad is gorgeous! It looks so good with all of those flavors! Yummy!

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  10. I beg to differ! I think your salad is beautiful and mouth watering to look at! I think I will try this one! Huggy Hugs!

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  11. This salad sounds so refreshing and I think the roasted tomatoes probably make it the best!

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  12. Oh Mary...I could eat that right now...looks pretty to me!
    L~xoxox

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Thank you for your comments, friends ~ they make my day!

A Sampling of my food . . .

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