Goat Cheese Spinach Salad with Warm Date & Bacon Dressing
The warm dressing makes this salad perfect for a cool day. Omit cheese for dairy-free.
5 bacon slices, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
6 teaspoons honey, divided
3/4 cup thin sliced red onion
½ cup chopped pitted dates
8 cups of baby spinach
1 cup crumbled soft fresh goat cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat. When crisp, remove from skillet heat, reserve 1 ½ tablespoons of the bacon drippings, and set the bacon aside on a paper towel to drain.
Next to make the dressing: Add the olive oil, vinegar, half of the honey (3 teaspoons), red onions and dates to the reserved drippings in the same skillet, over medium heat. Whisk well. Place baby spinach in a medium salad bowl; add the warm dressing and gently toss. Divide salad between 4 plates. Sprinkle each with cheese (optional). Drizzle with remaining 3 teaspoons of honey.
Makes 4 servings.