Recipe: Smoky Hot Vinaigrette Wilted Spinach Salad

This time of year is my absolute favorite when it comes to cooking! In most parts of the country, you can still find tons of goodies in the garden or at the farmer's market, and it's cool enough to cook some nice, hearty fall meals.

This week, we're focusing on fall - whether it's a hot spinach salad, pizza with fresh-from-the-garden toppings, or tasty chicken chili - hit up the farmer's market, as we've got your fall menu for the week right here!

Smoky Hot Vinaigrette Wilted Spinach Salad
(Serves 4-6.)

Ingredients:

12 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 cup thinly sliced shallot
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/3 cup chicken broth or vegetable broth
1/4 cup chopped black olives
optional: crisp bacon and chopped hard-cooked eggs

Directions:

• Rinse spinach and thoroughly dry it, then place in a large heat-resistant salad bowl.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, put the shallots, red wine vinegar, and oil and cook, stirring, until the liquid in the skillet is reduced down by a little more than half.
• Then add in the almonds and paprika, stir and cook about 1 minute.
• Stir in the broth and olives and bring to a simmer, and cook for about 1 minute until totally hot and flavors combined. 
• Remove from heat and immediately pour the dressing out of the skillet over the spinach and toss quickly until spinach is slightly wilted.
• Serve immediately.
• If desired, sprinkle crisp bacon and chopped hard-cooked eggs over salad.

Recipe: Tangy Hot Bacon Spinach Salad

Mmmm....just reading this one will make your mouth water! Tangy vinegar meets the spice of onion and pepper, contrasts with the richness of bacon, and melts into the smoothness of hard boiled eggs, under which the tender bite of fresh spinach provides the perfect foil!  For a truly healthy meal, be sure the eggs and bacon are free-range raised on pasture, and that the spinach is organic - if it's from your own garden, even better!

Tangy Hot Bacon Spinach Salad
(Serves 4.)

(Photo credit: jeffreyw)

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon, diced
1/2 cup diced onion
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried well
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
hot pepper flakes or smoked paprika for garnish

Directions: 

• In a skillet, cook bacon pieces until crisp; remove to paper towel to drain.
• In same skillet with bacon drippings, add the onion, cooking until just starting to get translucent, then add the apple cider vinegar, stirring to combine and get brown bacon bits from bottom of skillet.
• Turn heat to simmer, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
• To serve, divide washed spinach between 4 salad plates, immediately drizzle hot dressing from skillet over each serving, tossing slightly.
• Sprinkle bacon pieces over each serving evenly, and finally arrange the egg slices evenly over the top. If desired, sprinkle a few hot pepper flakes over each salad or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.