Description
A refreshing and hearty winter salad combining fresh spinach, crisp apple, tangy gorgonzola, and sweetly spiced candied walnuts, finished with crispy pancetta and a vibrant olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 7 oz (200g) spinach
- 1 red delicious apple (thinly sliced)
- 4.5 oz (130g) gorgonzola (at room temperature)
- 1/2 pomegranate (arils removed)
- 5.2 oz (150g) streaky bacon or pancetta strips (approximately 2 slices per person)
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup (80g) walnut halves
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 1/4 tsp chilli flakes (red pepper flakes)
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1 oz (30g) butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a small pan, combine walnut halves, sugar, chilli flakes, paprika, a pinch of salt, and butter. Heat gently, letting the sugar and butter melt together for about 2 minutes while stirring to thoroughly coat the walnuts. Be careful not to burn the sugar.
- Immediately transfer the coated walnuts onto a sheet of baking paper, spreading them out so they don’t stick together. Set aside to cool and harden.
- Place the bacon or pancetta strips under a hot grill and cook until crispy on both sides. Remove and drain on kitchen paper to absorb excess fat.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until fully combined. Add half of the gorgonzola and mash it into the dressing using a fork. Some small lumps are fine and add texture.
- Add the fresh spinach to the dressing bowl, tossing gently until all leaves are evenly coated.
- Divide the dressed spinach into serving bowls. Top each with equal portions of thinly sliced apple, the remaining gorgonzola broken into chunks, pomegranate arils, crispy bacon pieces, and the cooled candied walnuts.
- Finish with a grinding of black pepper on top, then serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Best served fresh for optimal texture.
- You can substitute pancetta with bacon if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Winter Spinach Salad, Spinach Salad, Gorgonzola Salad, Candied Walnut Salad