Prepare to revolutionize your salad game with this mouthwatering Spinach Salad with Pears and Bacon - a culinary masterpiece that transforms ordinary greens into an extraordinary dining experience! Imagine a perfect harmony of crisp spinach, sweet juicy pears, crunchy bacon, and tangy feta cheese that will have you falling in love with salads all over again. This isn't just a side dish; it's a flavor explosion that promises to become your new go-to recipe for impressing guests or treating yourself to a gourmet meal in minutes!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 6 cups fresh spinach
- 2 ripe pears, sliced
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinaigrette
Instructions
- Wash the fresh spinach leaves thoroughly under cold running water and pat dry using a clean kitchen towel or salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. This should take approximately 5-7 minutes.
- Remove bacon from the skillet and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Allow the bacon to cool completely, then crumble into small pieces.
- Wash and core the pears, then slice them thinly into uniform wedges, ensuring they are ripe but still firm.
- In a large salad bowl, spread the clean, dry spinach leaves as a base.
- Arrange the pear slices evenly across the spinach leaves.
- Sprinkle the crumbled bacon pieces over the salad.
- Add chopped walnuts for a crunchy texture and additional flavor.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette evenly across the salad just before serving.
- Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating with the dressing and distribution of ingredients.
- Serve immediately to maintain the freshness and crispness of the spinach leaves.
Tips
- Spinach Selection: Choose fresh, vibrant spinach leaves with no wilting or yellowing for the best flavor and texture.
- Bacon Perfection: Cook bacon until it's perfectly crisp but not burnt. Let it cool completely before crumbling to maintain that delightful crunch.
- Pear Prep: Use ripe but firm pears to prevent mushy texture. Cut just before serving to prevent browning.
- Dressing Tip: Add the balsamic vinaigrette just before serving to keep the spinach leaves crisp and prevent wilting.
- Temperature Matters: Serve immediately after preparing to enjoy the contrast between cool crisp spinach and warm, crispy bacon.
- Customization Option: Toast the walnuts lightly in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty flavor before adding to the salad.
- Make-Ahead Hack: Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and texture.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
