Savory Spinach and Mushroom Salad with Crispy Bacon Dressing
Delight your palate with this Savory Spinach and Mushroom Salad, elevated by a rich Mustard-Bacon Dressing. This vibrant salad combines the fresh, earthy flavors of spinach and sliced mushrooms, complemented by the savory crunch of crispy bacon and the creaminess of a homemade dressing. Perfect for gatherings or as a sophisticated side dish, it's a refreshing take on classic salad flavors, offering a delightful balance of creamy, tangy, and smoky with every bite. Easy to prepare and can be made ahead, this dish is sure to impress at your next meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Bacon
1/2 lb (Cooked until crisp, crumbled)
Mayonnaise
1/2 cup (None)
Onion
1/2 small (Finely grated)
Olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (None)
Red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons (None)
Sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons (None)
Dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons (None)
Spinach
1 lb (Stemmed, torn into bite-size pieces, rinsed and spun dry)
Mushrooms
12 ounces (Sliced)
Hard-boiled eggs
3 (Chilled and sliced)
Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup (Grated)
Instructions
1
Start by cooking the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes crispy, typically about 8-10 minutes. Once finished, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel to drain excess fat. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the drippings in the skillet.
2
Allow the bacon to cool, then crumble it into small pieces.
3
In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, finely grated onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the reserved bacon drippings until well blended. For best flavor, you can prepare this dressing up to 2 days in advance; just let it come to room temperature before using.
4
In a large salad bowl, combine the rinsed and dried spinach, sliced mushrooms, and chilled hard-boiled eggs, cut into slices.
5
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
6
Finally, sprinkle the crumbled bacon and grated Parmesan cheese on top for an added touch of flavor and presentation. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious combination of tastes!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main name of this dish?
The dish is called Savory Spinach and Mushroom Salad with Crispy Bacon Dressing.
How long does it take to cook the bacon?
The bacon should be cooked over medium heat for approximately 8-10 minutes until it becomes crispy.
Should I discard all the bacon fat?
No, you should reserve 3 tablespoons of the bacon drippings in the skillet to be used in the dressing.
How should the bacon be prepared for the final salad?
Allow the bacon to cool after cooking, then crumble it into small pieces.
What are the primary ingredients for the homemade dressing?
The dressing consists of mayonnaise, finely grated onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, and the reserved bacon drippings.
Can I make the dressing in advance?
Yes, the dressing can be prepared up to 2 days in advance.
How should I handle refrigerated dressing before serving?
If made in advance, let the dressing come to room temperature before using it on the salad.
How much spinach is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of spinach.
How should the spinach be prepared?
The spinach should be stemmed, torn into bite-size pieces, rinsed, and spun dry.
What type and amount of mushrooms are used?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
How are the eggs prepared for this salad?
Use 3 hard-boiled eggs that have been chilled and cut into slices.
What is the final topping for the salad?
The salad is finished with crumbled bacon and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
How much mayonnaise is used in the dressing?
The dressing requires 1/2 cup of mayonnaise.
What kind of onion is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a small onion, finely grated.
Is there any sugar in the dressing?
Yes, the dressing includes 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar.
What type of vinegar is used?
The recipe specifies 1 1/2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar.
What type of mustard is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard.
How much olive oil is in the dressing?
The dressing contains 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much bacon is needed?
You will need 1/2 lb of bacon.
What is the flavor profile of this salad?
It offers a balance of earthy spinach, savory mushrooms, creamy dressing, and smoky, crunchy bacon.
Is this salad suitable for gatherings?
Yes, it is described as perfect for gatherings or as a sophisticated side dish.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, for the best taste and texture, serve the salad immediately after tossing.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients in total.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and is simple to prepare.
What is the purpose of the paper towel in the instructions?
The paper towel is used to drain excess fat from the crispy bacon after it is removed from the skillet.
How do you incorporate the dressing into the salad?
Drizzle the prepared dressing over the ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
What kind of cheese is used?
Grated Parmesan cheese is used as a topping.
Can this salad be a main dish?
While described as a side dish, its rich ingredients like eggs and bacon make it very satisfying.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include salad, spinach, bacon, mushroom, mustard dressing, healthy, sides, and easy recipe.
Does the recipe provide nutritional information?
The provided data does not include specific values for calories, fat, or other nutritional metrics.