Tuesday

Spinach Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Bacon, Walnuts and Maple Vinaigrette



The usual late summer/early fall weather is upon us ~ very warm days, and cool evenings.








Butternut Squash is plentiful in the market, but it's not quite chilly enough for soups or heavier meals. Instead of a hot meal I put together this healthful (if you don't take into account the bacon) salad for dinner recently.




You can serve the salad at room temperature, but I really like it best when the squash and dressing are still warm. With each bite you'll get a taste of creamy ( roasted squash), crunchy (toasted walnuts) and crispy (salty- smoky bacon), and the sweet-tangy maple dressing brings the spinach and other ingredients together beautifully.
It's very good when accompanied with warm cornbread or toasted and buttered sourdough slices.


















There are many Maple Viniagrette dressing recipes out there, but I make mine a little differently than most ~ I reduce the maple syrup by about half (in a small pan, stovetop over medium heat) before whisking it with Sherry Vinegar (you can also use apple cider vinegar, but it is generally a bit stronger so beware and adjust amount to suit your taste.) Then just whisk in a small amount of Dijon mustard, some olive or grapeseed oil and salt and pepper then taste for seasonings. When making vinaigrettes I usually use quite a bit less oil than most recipes call for, just a personal preference.







If you would like a printable copy of the recipe, you can find it on my recipe blog by clicking HERE.





This is my entry for Tuesday Twister ~ Click Logo to find out more.

Enjoy~ and thank you for stopping by, friends!











20 comments:

  1. every single thing about this sounds wonderful!

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  3. The buternut squash looks beautiful. I had a not so fun incident trying to cut open a butternut squash once, but I think it's been long enough that I'm willing to give it another go. Thanks for the recipe.

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  4. Hi Mary Sweetie...
    What a beautiful share. I love the looks and sound of this recipe. Can I pop over for dinner? You made my mouth water just showing this one. I love it. Served with warm cornbread, oh yummy.

    I also love the sunflowers for a centerpiece, how much better can you get than this for the end of Summer? Oh Mari I love it. Thank you SO much once again for sharing a beautiful recipe. You are so gifted with recipes and ideas.

    Many hugs and much love, Sherry

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  5. A perfect Autumn salad! And your pictures are gorgeous!
    xoxo Pattie

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  6. I have to go and start dinner right now and I wish that this was waiting for me instead of the burgers I am going to throw on the grill!
    Can I come and live with you?

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  7. My dad gets here Thursday and he loves to eat. This will be on the menu sometime in the next couple of weeks. Yum.

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  8. Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering - how delicious. I just had a huge dinner - but I bet I could make room for this.

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  9. Très belle salade ..Et le tournesol? Splendide..

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  10. This looks fantastic!!! I love pumpkin with walnuts, it's such a great combination, and as a salad it would be even better. The colours, and the textures are spot on. Really, well done.

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  11. Be still my heart....I can almost TASTE it from here!

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  12. What a delicious and satisfying salad, perfect for the onset of fall and our cooler evenings.

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  13. This is so timely for me. I am holding a dinner for my book club in October and want to theme it for Autumn. We're having acorn chestnut puree, chicken pot pie, and now, this salad.

    I've found a fun recipe for pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting for dessert.

    Thanks for a wonderful looking recipe!

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  14. This salad looks fabulous! I think I will have to try this for sure. Thanks for sharing. Marla

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  15. This salad looks fabulous! I think I will have to try this for sure. Thanks for sharing. Marla

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  16. That is a beautiful salad and I bet the viniagrette is amazing! Can't wait for butternut Mmmm!

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  17. That salad looks so beautiful! I'll have to make my own version sometime soon...can't wait. - www.delightfulcountrycookin.com

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  18. Wow! I am so hungry right now, that looks so so tasty!

    I also tried out the Snickerdoodle recipe here and posted it on my site w/ credit given.
    http://www.theamericanpalate.com/2010/09/snickerdoodle-cookies.html

    The family loved those cookies!!

    Thanks for sharing!
    Cate

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