Warm Pear & Spinach Salad With Maple-Bacon Vinaigrette

Mature, larger-leaved spinach holds up better to the warm bacon vinaigrette than baby spinach in this healthy spinach salad recipe. If you don’t want the spinach to wilt, let the dressing cool before tossing it with the salad.

Prep/Cook Time: 15 Minutes, Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 10 cups fresh spinach, tough stems removed
• 1 medium firm ripe pear, thinly sliced
• ½ cup slivered red onion
• 2 slices bacon, chopped
• 1-1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ½ cup toasted walnut halves

Directions

1. Combine spinach, pear and onion in a large bowl.
2. Cook bacon in a small skillet over medium heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon. Add enough oil to the pan drippings to make 2 tablespoons total. Add vinegar, syrup, salt and pepper; bring to a simmer. Immediately pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat. Serve sprinkled with the bacon and walnuts.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving: 194 Calories, Total Fat: 13 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 3 mg, Carbohydrates: 16 g, Fiber: 4 g, Total Sugars: 9 g, Added Sugars: 3 g, Protein: 6 g, Sodium: 261 mg, Potassium: 582 mg, Folate: 164 mcg, Calcium: 101 mg

© Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission.