Ellens Spinach And Fig Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over hot charcoal (high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, marjoram, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl.
• Brush both sides of eggplant slices with some of dressing. Season with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Oil grill rack, then grill eggplant, covered only if using a gas grill, turning occasionally, until tender, 12 to 15 minutes total. Cut into pieces.
• Toss spinach with enough dressing to coat and season with salt and pepper. Add eggplant, feta, and pine nuts and toss again.

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat; cook and stir onion with a pinch of salt until lightly browned and caramelized, 10 to 15 minutes. Add figs and balsamic vinegar to onion; cook over medium heat until vinegar is reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Season fig mixture with salt and pepper.
• Spread spinach onto serving plates and top with fig mixture and Gorgonzola cheese.

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl, whisk together shallots, garlic, vinegar, salt and pepper. Whisk in 1/3 cup olive oil and set aside.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat, then add 1/2 tablespoon oil. Add pancetta and sauté until browned and crisp at the edges, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to the salad bowl with the dressing. Do not wipe out the skillet.
• Add scallions and a pinch of salt to remaining fat in skillet. Sauté until tender and pale golden, 2 minutes. Crack in eggs. Fry eggs, spooning some of the olive oil over whites to crisp them at the edges, until just set, 1 to 2 minutes. Add more oil to the pan if needed to be able to spoon some over the eggs.
• Toss spinach and herbs with the dressing and pancetta. Divide onto plates. Top each with a scallion-laced fried egg.