Curried Spinach and Pear Delight Salad
Indulge in a vibrant medley of fresh spinach, crisp frisée, and sweet pears, crowned with smoky bacon and a delightful crunch from spiced curried cashews. This delightful salad is not only a feast for the eyes, but it also offers a symphony of flavors that enliven the palate; the combination of sweet, savory, and spicy elements creates a unique dish perfect for lunch or as an impressive snack. The versatile honey-sesame dressing enhances any salad, making it a staple in your culinary repertoire. Chef Tom Douglas, renowned for his innovative dining experiences in Seattle, presents this salad as a signature item, ensuring it will shine on your table too!
N/A
Servings
389
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cashews
3/4 cup (toasted (about 3 ounces))
Unsalted Butter
1 tablespoon (melted)
Fresh Rosemary
1 teaspoon (chopped or dried)
Curry Powder
1 teaspoon (none)
Dark Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Coarse Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Cayenne Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
White Wine Vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
Dijon Mustard
3 tablespoons (none)
Honey
2 tablespoons (none)
Sesame Seeds
3 tablespoons (toasted)
Minced Garlic
1 teaspoon (none)
Vegetable Oil or Peanut Oil
1/2 cup (none)
Smoky Thick Slab Bacon
1/2 lb (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
Spinach Leaves
12 cups (loose, no stems, torn to bite size)
Frisée
6 cups (loose, torn to bite size)
Red Onion
2/3 cup (thinly sliced)
Pears
3 (halved, cored, thinly sliced)
Grapes
6 bunches (small for garnish)
Instructions
1
Curried Cashews: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Spread the cashews on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast for 8-10 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown. In a bowl, combine the melted butter, chopped rosemary, curry powder, dark brown sugar, coarse salt, and cayenne pepper. Once the cashews are hot and toasted, pour them into the spice mixture and toss until they are evenly coated. Set aside to cool completely.
2
Honey-Sesame Vinaigrette: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, vegetable oil (or peanut oil), a pinch of coarse salt, and freshly ground pepper until well combined and emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
3
Salad Assembly: Cut the smoky thick slab bacon into 1/2-inch pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until they are crispy and golden brown. Remove from heat and let drain on paper towels.
4
In a large salad bowl, combine the loosely packed spinach leaves, frisée, thinly sliced red onion, and the sliced pears. Drizzle with enough honey-sesame vinaigrette to lightly coat the salad ingredients, tossing gently to combine.
5
To serve, plate the dressed salad onto six individual plates. Generously sprinkle crispy bacon and curried cashews over each portion. For an elegant touch, garnish with clusters of small grapes on the side of each plate.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
34g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Curried Spinach and Pear Delight Salad?
It is a vibrant salad featuring fresh spinach, frisée, sweet pears, smoky bacon, and spiced curried cashews.
Who is the chef associated with this recipe?
The recipe is a signature item from renowned Seattle chef Tom Douglas.
What are the primary greens used in this salad?
The salad uses 12 cups of spinach leaves and 6 cups of frisée.
How do you prepare the curried cashews?
Toast the cashews, then toss them in a mixture of melted butter, rosemary, curry powder, dark brown sugar, salt, and cayenne pepper.
What is the oven temperature for toasting the cashews?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
How long should the cashews be toasted?
They should be toasted in a single layer for 8 to 10 minutes until golden brown.
What ingredients are in the Honey-Sesame Vinaigrette?
The dressing includes white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, toasted sesame seeds, minced garlic, vegetable or peanut oil, salt, and pepper.
What type of vinegar is recommended for the dressing?
The recipe calls specifically for white wine vinegar.
Can I use peanut oil instead of vegetable oil?
Yes, the recipe suggests either vegetable oil or peanut oil for the vinaigrette.
How should the bacon be prepared?
Cut smoky thick slab bacon into 1/2-inch pieces and cook in a skillet until crispy and golden brown.
What type of bacon is used?
The recipe recommends using half a pound of smoky thick slab bacon.
How should the pears be prepared for the salad?
The three pears should be halved, cored, and thinly sliced.
Does the recipe include onions?
Yes, it includes two-thirds of a cup of thinly sliced red onion.
What garnish is used for the salad?
The salad is garnished with small bunches of grapes on the side of each plate.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The instructions indicate the recipe serves six individual plates.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 389 calories.
How much fat is in one serving of this salad?
There are 25 grams of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains 34 grams of carbohydrates.
How much protein does this salad provide?
The salad provides 7.5 grams of protein per serving.
Can I use dried rosemary instead of fresh?
Yes, the ingredient list allows for either chopped fresh rosemary or dried rosemary.
How should the spinach leaves be prepared?
The spinach should be loose, have no stems, and be torn into bite-sized pieces.
When should the bacon and cashews be added to the salad?
They should be generously sprinkled over each portion after the salad has been dressed and plated.
What is the unique flavor profile of this dish?
It offers a symphony of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors from the combination of pears, bacon, and curried cashews.
Should the cashews be cooled before serving?
Yes, you should set the spiced cashews aside to cool completely before adding them to the salad.
How do you assemble the main salad components?
Combine spinach, frisée, red onion, and sliced pears in a bowl and drizzle with the vinaigrette to coat lightly.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are a total of 19 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for lunch?
Yes, it is described as a perfect dish for lunch or as an impressive snack.
What is the texture of the cashews?
The cashews provide a delightful crunch and are coated in a spiced mixture.
How should the dressing be mixed?
Whisk the ingredients together in a mixing bowl until they are well combined and emulsified.
What is the purpose of the honey-sesame dressing?
The dressing enhances the salad and is described as a versatile staple for any culinary repertoire.