Spinach Pear Salad From Restaurateur Tom Douglas Recipes

Steps:

• Curried Cashews: Preheat oven to 400°; toast cashews on baking sheet for 8-10 minutes or until golden; combine remaining ingredients; add hot cashews, toss until coated; set aside to cool.
• Honey-Sesame Vinaigrette: Combine all ingredients and whisk until emulsified.
• Salad: Cut bacon into 1/2" pieces and cook until crisp.
• Put greens, onions and sliced pears in a bowl and toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well.
• Place salad on six plates; sprinkle each with bacon and curried cashews; garnish with cluster of grapes placed at the side of each plate.

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, sesame seeds, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil. Set aside.
• To make the curried cashews, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• On a baking sheet, toast the cashews until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter, rosemary, curry powder, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. Add the toasted cashews while they are still hot and toss with a rubber spatula so they are thoroughly coated with the spices and butter. Leave the oven on to cook the bacon.
• Put the bacon on a baking sheet, place it in the oven, and cook until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and cut the slices into 1-inch pieces. Keep the bacon warm.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, frisee, red onions, and sliced pears. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well.
• Divide the salad among 6 plates. Garnish each salad with pieces of warm bacon and spiced cashews. Set a grape cluster on the side of each salad.
• The bacon can be cooked ahead, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated. The cashews can be cooked early in the day and stored at room temperature. The vinaigrette can be stored refrigerated, tightly covered, for several days.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the water, orange juice, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.
• In large bowl, add the pear slices and 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
• Add remaining dressing, spinach and onion and toss to coat.

Steps:

• Mix the first 10 ingredients together, preferably with a food processor or blender so that it mixes well. Set the dressing aside.
• Remove and discard the stems from the spinach leaves. Wash spinach, and pat dry with paper towels. Combine the spinach, pears, raisins, and pecans in a large bowl. Pour reserved dressing over salad, and toss gently. Serve immediately.

Steps:

• To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, sesame seeds, garlic, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Gradually whisk in the oil. Set aside.
• To make the curried cashews, preheat the oven to 400 degrees. On a baking sheet, toast the cashews until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the melted butter, rosemary, curry powder, brown sugar, salt, and cayenne in a bowl. Add the toasted cashews while they are still hot and toss with a rubber spatula so they are thoroughly coated with the spices and butter. Leave the oven on to cook the bacon.
• Put the bacon on a baking sheet, place it in the oven, and cook until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pan and cut the slices into 1-inch pieces. Keep the bacon warm.
• In a large bowl, combine the spinach, frisee, red onions, and sliced pears. Toss with enough vinaigrette to coat everything well. Divide the salad among 6 plates. Garnish each salad with pieces of warm bacon and spiced cashews. Set a grape cluster on the side of each salad.

Steps:

• Toss the spinach, pear slices, onion and blue cheese in a large salad bowl.
• Heat the oil and vinegar in a small saucepan over a medium heat until the mixture is just steaming. Pour over the salad and toss until the spinach wilts slightly.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.