Warm Spinach & Mushroom Salad with Crunchy Croutons
This Warm Spinach & Mushroom Salad combines the earthiness of sautéed mushrooms with the freshness of vibrant spinach, creating a deliciously hearty yet refreshing dish. Inspired by childhood memories, this recipe retains the comforting essence of wilted greens, enhanced by the tanginess of lemon and mustard in a hot dressing. Perfect for using up stale bread, the crunchy croutons add texture to each bite, while optional parmesan cheese brings a rich depth of flavor. Serve this salad warm as a flavorful starter or a satisfying side dish. Just a heads up, your kitchen will be filled with the delightful aroma of vinegar, making it hard to resist this savory treat!
N/A
Servings
175
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
fresh spinach
3/4 lb (washed and dried)
red onion
1/4 (very thinly sliced)
red bell pepper
1 (seeded and diced)
whole grain bread
3 slices (toasted and cubed)
olive oil
4 tablespoons (for dressing and optional additional)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
dried basil
1 teaspoon
dried oregano
1 teaspoon
lemon juice
3 tablespoons
grainy mustard
2 teaspoons
mushrooms
1 lb (sliced)
sea salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
parmesan cheese
1/2 cup (freshly grated (optional))
white wine vinegar
1 tablespoon ((optional))
Instructions
1
Start by shredding the fresh spinach by hand into a large mixing bowl. Add the very thinly sliced red onion and diced red bell pepper to the bowl, mixing well to incorporate.
2
Prepare the croutons by toasting the whole grain bread until golden brown. Once toasted, cut the bread into crouton-sized cubes. Alternatively, you can cubed the bread first and toast it in the oven; both methods work well!
3
Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant, making sure not to let it burn.
4
Stir in the lemon juice, dried oregano, basil, and grainy mustard. Follow this by adding the sliced mushrooms, and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Taste and adjust the seasoning with freshly ground pepper and sea salt, ensuring the mixture resembles a hot tangy dressing.
5
If desired, add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan for extra richness, ensuring the dressing stays hot.
6
Pour the hot dressing over the prepared spinach mix, tossing vigorously to ensure all the spinach wilts gently without overcooking. If desired, toss in the freshly grated parmesan cheese during this step to combine.
7
Serve the salad warm, garnished with additional parmesan if desired, and enjoy the comforting flavors!
Nutrition Information
3.75g
Protein
150mg
Sodium
2.5mg
Cholesterol
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main dish described in this recipe?
The recipe is for a Warm Spinach & Mushroom Salad with Crunchy Croutons.
How many calories are in a serving of this salad?
There are 175 calories per serving.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian.
Can this salad be made vegan?
Yes, it can be made vegan by omitting the optional parmesan cheese.
What type of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of sliced mushrooms of your choice.
How do I prepare the spinach for this salad?
The spinach should be washed, dried, and shredded by hand into a large bowl.
What type of bread is best for the croutons?
The recipe recommends using three slices of whole grain bread.
How do I make the croutons?
Toast the whole grain bread until golden brown and then cut it into cubes, or cube it first and then toast it in the oven.
What are the primary flavorings in the dressing?
The dressing is flavored with garlic, lemon juice, dried oregano, basil, and grainy mustard.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
How should the red onion be prepared?
The red onion should be very thinly sliced.
What is the protein content of this salad?
This salad contains 3.75g of protein.
How much sodium is in this dish?
This recipe contains 150mg of sodium.
How long should I sauté the garlic?
Sauté the minced garlic for a couple of minutes until it is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
How long do the mushrooms need to cook?
The mushrooms should be sautéed for about 5-7 minutes until they are tender.
What is the role of the lemon juice in the recipe?
Lemon juice provides the tanginess for the hot dressing.
How is the spinach wilted?
The spinach is wilted by pouring the hot mushroom dressing over the raw spinach mix and tossing vigorously.
Can I add vinegar to this recipe?
Yes, an optional tablespoon of white wine vinegar can be added for extra flavor.
How much parmesan cheese is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/2 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese as an optional addition.
What type of bell pepper is used?
One red bell pepper, seeded and diced, is used in the salad.
Is there cholesterol in this salad?
The salad contains approximately 2.5mg of cholesterol.
What texture should the croutons provide?
The croutons are intended to add a crunchy texture to the dish.
How do I season the dressing?
Adjust the seasoning with sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
What makes this salad a 'warm' salad?
It is a warm salad because the mushrooms and dressing are heated and then poured over the greens to wilt them.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by childhood memories of comforting wilted greens.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
Can I use dried herbs?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 1 teaspoon each of dried basil and dried oregano.
Is the mustard used for the dressing creamy or grainy?
The recipe specifies using 2 teaspoons of grainy mustard.
Should the salad be served immediately?
Yes, it is best served warm to enjoy the comforting flavors and wilted texture.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 15 ingredients listed for this recipe.