Custom Search

Learn More About Wine>> California Wine Country Mini Articles are spread through out the site get a list of articles at this link.

Photo Description:

A Picture of Spinach Salad Recipe with Fruit and Nuts - this dish makes a lite yet surprisingly refreshing appetizer or salad to start a meal the strawberries sweetness and the apples tartness blend with the sweet nutty taste of the candied pecans and the crisp taste of the spinach.

Spinach Salad Recipe with Fruit and Nuts

This spinach salad recipe is ideal for a light lunch or even an appetizer. The fruit and nuts go perfectly with the salad base and the dressing is tangy and flavorful. Many spinach salad recipes call for a tangy sauce because spinach is slightly sharp and the flavors combine well.

You can use nectarines or mandarins instead of the apple if you wish, and raspberries instead of the strawberries. Any full grown or baby spinach variety is good in this spinach salad recipe. You can also use Romaine.

A Healthy Spinach Salad Recipe

Ingredients -

For the Dressing:

1 tablespoon orange juice concentrate
¼ cup walnut oil
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
½ teaspoon poppy seeds
½ garlic clove, minced
White pepper to taste

For the salad:

½ cup pecans
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cups baby spinach leaves
2 cups strawberries
2 apples, diced
Large spinach leaves to serve

Preparation:

Mix the orange juice concentrate, walnut oil, vinegar, poppy seeds, garlic and pepper in a bowl and set this dressing aside. Heat the brown sugar with about a tablespoon of water in a skillet over a medium heat until the sugar melts. Add the pecans and cook for 2 minutes or until the sugar syrup begins to cling to them. Remove from heat and place nuts on a sheet of foil. When they have cooled, break apart any that have stuck together. This recipe also goes well with a little sharp or extra sharp shredded cheddar cheese in it.

Combine the spinach, apples, and strawberries in a bowl. Add the dressing and toss well. Sprinkle with the candied nuts and serve on a bed of spinach leaves.

Serves 4

Wine Suggestion:

Which Wine to Serve with Spinach Salad Recipe with Fruit and Nuts

A sparkling wine or Zinfandel would be a good choice of California wine for this spinach salad recipe. The flavors of the salad are a combination of sharp, tangy, and sweet and a gentle flavored wine enhances the dish, rather than overpowering it. For something a little drier, a Sauvignon Blanc is another good choice.