Gourmet Spinach Salad with Toffee Pecans and Creamy Goat Cheese
This Gourmet Spinach Salad is a delightful mélange of textures and flavors that elevates any meal, whether it's a festive occasion or a casual gathering. Featuring tender baby spinach leaves paired with the creamy richness of crumbled goat cheese, the salad is adorned with sweet-tart dried cranberries and crunchy toffee-coated pecans that add a delightful crunch. The accompanying Maple Vinaigrette ties everything together with a harmonious balance of sweetness and tang. Perfect for impressing your guests or enjoying as a self-care treat, this salad is a culinary masterpiece inspired by the Essential Canadian Christmas Cookbook by Lovoni Walker.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pecans, toasted
2/3 cup ((70 g))
Granulated sugar
1/3 cup
Water
2 tablespoons
Baby spinach leaves
9 ounces ((225 g))
Goat cheese, coarsely crumbled
4 ounces ((125 g))
Dried cranberries
1/3 cup ((60 g))
Olive oil
3/4 cup
Red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
Maple syrup
2 tablespoons
Grainy mustard
1 teaspoon
Salt
1 pinch
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gourmet Spinach Salad with Toffee Pecans and Creamy Goat Cheese?
It is a gourmet salad featuring baby spinach leaves, crumbled goat cheese, dried cranberries, and crunchy toffee-coated pecans, served with a Maple Vinaigrette.
Is this spinach salad recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat products.
Is the Gourmet Spinach Salad vegan?
No, this recipe is not vegan because it includes goat cheese.
What type of greens are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 9 ounces (225 g) of baby spinach leaves.
What kind of cheese is recommended for this salad?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces (125 g) of coarsely crumbled goat cheese.
What ingredients are needed to make the toffee pecans?
You will need 2/3 cup of toasted pecans, 1/3 cup of granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons of water.
What dried fruit is included in the salad?
The salad includes 1/3 cup (60 g) of dried cranberries.
What are the ingredients for the Maple Vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette is made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, grainy mustard, and a pinch of salt.
How much olive oil is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of olive oil for the dressing.
What kind of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe specifies 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
How much maple syrup is needed?
The dressing requires 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
What type of mustard is used in the Maple Vinaigrette?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of grainy mustard.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 11 ingredients in total for the salad and dressing.
Who is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the Essential Canadian Christmas Cookbook by Lovoni Walker.
What is the flavor profile of this salad?
The salad offers a harmonious balance of sweet-tart flavors from the cranberries and maple, richness from the goat cheese, and a savory tang from the dressing.
Is this salad suitable for holiday gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a culinary masterpiece perfect for festive occasions and holiday meals.
How should the pecans be prepared before making the toffee?
The pecans should be toasted before being coated in the sugar and water mixture.
What is the weight of the pecans used?
The recipe uses 70 grams of pecans.
What is the weight of the goat cheese used?
The recipe uses 125 grams of goat cheese.
What is the weight of the baby spinach?
The recipe uses 225 grams of baby spinach.
Can I substitute the goat cheese?
While goat cheese provides a specific creamy richness, you could substitute it with feta cheese or blue cheese for a different flavor profile.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
The tags include salad, spinach, goat cheese, toffee pecans, maple vinaigrette, cranberries, healthy, vegetarian, holiday, and gourmet.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and features nutrient-dense ingredients like spinach and pecans.
What provides the 'crunch' in this salad?
The toasted toffee-coated pecans provide the primary crunch.
How much granulated sugar is used for the pecans?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of granulated sugar.
Does the dressing contain salt?
Yes, the dressing includes one pinch of salt.
What is the texture of the goat cheese in this salad?
The goat cheese should be coarsely crumbled to provide creamy richness.
Is there a specific cooking book mentioned for this recipe?
Yes, the Essential Canadian Christmas Cookbook.
What is the amount of dried cranberries by weight?
The recipe uses 60 grams of dried cranberries.
Can I use a different nut besides pecans?
Yes, walnuts or almonds would also work well with the toffee coating and spinach base.