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Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

January 19, 2015 by Valerie Lugonja 8 Comments

Tender Greens bathed in Tasty Textures

1 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

It may not be pretty, but I promise you, this salad is a full meal deal and a jubilant mix of flavours: sweet, salty, and tart!

2 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

The preserved sour cherries add the unexpected pucker perfect umami-whammy.

3 Spinach Salad Mis en Place

I was having company, and had a huge basket of spinach for the salad. What else? I had hard boiled eggs on hand. I had preserved sour cherries on hand. After that, I gathered the other ingredients, also in the pantry, that would add dimension to the salad. Red onion, absolutely; bacon, as with the traditional spinach salad, yes; toasted pine nuts are a personal favourite; then cheese and a dressing.

4 Spinach Salad Mis en Place

Everything for this salad can be prepped and ready to go early in the morning.

5 Spinach Salad Bottom of the Bowl

Into the bottom of the serving bowl: red onions, toasted pine nuts, bacon lardons, hard boiled egg.

6 Spinach Salad

Bowl filled with tender baby spinach leaves and topped with preserved sour cherries.

7 Spinach Salad with Dressing and Cheese

Dressing and cheese on the side ready for the toss just before the meal is served. Bottom of the bowl tossed into the leaves with the cherries.

Making the Dressing for the Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

12 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic DressingJPG

I have a garlic fetish. I adore it and use it in almost everything. I am particularly smitten with the zing that salt adds to minced garlic if mashed into it. This simple combination with mayonnaise makes my preferred version of aioli. That’s the route I took with the dressing. Two to three large garlic cloves are minced and topped with a teaspoon of salt.

13 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic Dressing

The garlic and salt are then combined with the tines of a fork until the garlic is emulsified.

14 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic Dressing

Above, you can see the emulsion.

15 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic Dressing

I knew I was adding mayonnaise, but also knew the balance between sweet and savory must be achieved in this dressing, so added sugar.

16 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic Dressing

These ingredients, combined, pack a powerful punch. Work to round out the balance with the garlic and fat and sugar and salt at this phase.

17 Spinach Salad Garlic Balsamic Dressing

Stir in the balsamic and add freshly ground black pepper. Again, adjust the sugar, garlic, salt to fat and acid ratio, as necessary to get the balance you like for this dressing. The recipe is a great starting point.

18 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

Toss all dry ingredients gently together in the bowl.

19 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

The heavier ingredients do tend to migrate to the bottom of the bowl, so work to get them dispersed amongst the tender greens.

20 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

Add the dressing, a little at a time; gently toss to coat each leaf. Too much dressing, and the salad will become compact and heavy, like a wet cat in the rain.

22 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

Sprinkle with the cheese, and gently toss.

23 Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries

Serve in individual bowls, on a platter, or in a large self-serve bowl with tongs. As the heavier bits hide in the bottom, be sure to get a combination of the leaves with all components of the recipe into each serving.

Print

Spinach Salad with Preserved Sour Cherries



This ACF Original recipe is clearly inspired by a variety of salads, but is the ultimate side or luncheon main during the cold season.
Course Salad
Cuisine Canadian
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 8 -10
Author Valerie Lugonja

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs , boiled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup or 100g fried bacon lardons
  • 1/2 cup or 100g toasted pine nuts
  • 1/2 cup or 100g thinly sliced red onions
  • 800 g tender baby spinach leaves , cleaned and dried
  • 1/2 cup or 100g preserved sour cherries
  • 1/2 cup or 100g shredded Parmesan Cheese
  • Freshly ground pepper , to taste

Ingredients for the Dressing:

  • 3 cloves garlic , minced
  • 1 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 cup or 150g mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup or 60g Balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup sugar

Instructions

Instructions for the Dressing:

  1. Place the minced garlic on a cutting board; pour salt over the top of it and combine together with a fork to emulsify
  2. Place emulsified garlic and salt into bowl with remaining ingredients; stir to combine
  3. Add freshly ground pepper and adjust seasonings, cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill until needed

Instructions for the Salad:

  1. Place the first 4 ingredients carefully into the bottom of the serving bowl (careful not to mix together)
  2. Place spinach on top
  3. Top with preserved sour cherries
  4. Cover well with plastic wrap and chill until needed

Preparing for Service:

  1. Toss all ingredients in the salad bowl gently; combine well
  2. Pour dressing into bowl; gently toss to coat all tender leaves
  3. Sprinkle cheese throughout and garnish with some on top

If you make this recipe, please tell me! I so appreciate reader feedback.

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Filed Under: Salads Tagged With: Bacon, Balsamic, Egg, Mayonnaise, Parmesan Cheese, Preserved Sour Cherries, Red Onion, Spinach, Sugar

About Valerie Lugonja

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Comments

  1. Simone says

    January 19, 2015 at 11:01 pm

    That looks delicious Valerie. I’m loving simple salads like is. One preserved cherries look a lot like cranberries or at least the ones we have here. We don’t have sour cherries but I’m guessing I could substitute with cranberries?

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      January 20, 2015 at 11:34 am

      Think sour cherries, Simone. I have a post on how I preserve them that I am certain would interest you.
      Happy 2015!
      🙂
      Valerie

      Reply
  2. Esme says

    January 24, 2015 at 2:12 pm

    This looks delicious.

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      January 25, 2015 at 11:30 am

      Esme, Esme!
      Happy 2015
      How are you! I must visit immediately. Life has really dealt us a deck here this past couple of years and my cyber relationships have been non-existent. Apologies and big hug. Wonderful to hear from you!
      🙂
      Valerie

      Reply
  3. El says

    February 4, 2015 at 8:21 pm

    wow. What a great recipe. It looks so refreshing and wonderful for winter!!

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      February 10, 2015 at 10:02 am

      Dearest El!
      Wonderful to hear from you!
      It is a triumph, this little ditty. Exactly that.
      Hugs,
      Valerie

      Reply
  4. Hadia says

    March 18, 2015 at 8:48 am

    Valerie, your salad looks absolutely divine! I am drooling!

    Reply
    • Valerie Lugonja says

      March 18, 2015 at 10:27 am

      Thank you, Hadia
      Over to check you out, now. LOVE Lebonese food. Follow Joumana religiously.
      🙂
      Valerie

      Reply

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