Baby Spinach Salad With Black Eyed Peas Lardons And Pecan Vinaigrette Recipes

Steps:

• You need 2 large handfuls of baby spinach -- check for nasty stalky or wilted bits and then give it a really good wash (nobody likes gritty spinach). Spin dry, and add to a salad bowl with 2 smaller handfuls of fresh peas (unless you are lucky enough to get young peas which are sweet and tender, you should blanch the peas in boiling, unsalted water and leave to cool). Dress the salad at the last minute with olive oil and lemon juice dressing and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.

Steps:

• Whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, shallots, thyme, salt, and pepper. Thread the mushrooms on thin metal or soaked wood skewers and arrange on a baking sheet. Brush with the olive oil mixture and grill over moderately hot coals on both sides until tender and golden brown. Remove mushrooms from skewers and quarter or slice thickly.
• Toss greens and mushrooms pecan vinaigrette and arrange on plates with pears, toasted pecans and sprouts. Serve immediately.
• Whisk the oil, grapefruit juice and sugar together until sugar is dissolved. Stir in mint and add drops of hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste. Let sit for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to develop.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a baking sheet and bake, tossing once, until very golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool and very finely chop.
• Meanwhile, whisk together 1/3 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon honey and a large pinch of salt in a small bowl. Add the shallots and let sit at room temperature, tossing occasionally, until the shallots turn bright pink and are slightly pickled, about 10 minutes. Remove the shallots and set aside (discard the liquid).
• Whisk together the remaining 1/3 cup vinegar, Dijon mustard, remaining 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, until the mixture is blended. Stir in the toasted pecans.
• Combine the kale, pickled shallots, persimmons and Gorgonzola in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Steps:

• Cover the black-eyed peas with water and bring to a boil. Simmer gently until tender (about 30 minutes). Season to taste with salt and pepper after the peas have cooked for 20 minutes.
• Wash the spinach and remove stems. Shred leaves and drain well.
• Soften the onion and garlic in the olive oil and cook until soft in a large skillet. Add the spinach and saute, stirring constantly until wilted. Season to taste and add the drained peas. Heat through, correct seasoning and serve.

Steps:

• Simmer peas, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a 1-quart saucepan, uncovered, over moderate heat until peas are just tender, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water, then spread peas out on a paper towel and pat dry.
• Grind fennel seeds with cayenne and black pepper to a powder in grinder, then transfer to a small bowl. Add peas to spice mixture and toss to coat.
• Whisk together juices, broth, honey, oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and add spinach and mint, tossing to coat. Serve salad sprinkled with spiced peas.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Arrange pecans on a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in preheated oven for 7-10 minutes, until they just begin to darken. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Peel peaches (if desired) and slice into bite-sized segments. Combine peaches, spinach and pecans in a large bowl. Toss with dressing until evenly coated, adding a little additional dressing, if necessary.

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, pecans, bacon and blue cheese. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat.