Spinach Salad With Cherries And Candied Cashews Recipes

SPINACH SALAD WITH CANDIED CASHEWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300F (you can prepare your cashews several days ahead).
• In a small saucepan, mix together cashews, sugar, and water over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
• Cook and stir for about 15 minutes, or until mixture crystallizes.
• Spread the cashews onto parchment paper on a baking sheet (season with salt now if needed).
• Bake 15 minutes, then stir mixture.
• Bake 15 minutes more, then cool cashews before storing in an airtight container (until needed).
• Place spinach into salad bowl.
• Top with hard cooked eggs, mushrooms, dried fruit, and candied cashews.
• Juice the lemon.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, salt, pepper, dijon mustard, and sugar, adjusting sugar to taste.
• Slowly add olive oil and whisk until dressing emulsifies.
• Serve dressing over salad as desired.

CANDIED CASHEW AND PEAR SALAD

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place the sugar and cinnamon into a saucepan. Melt the sugar over medium heat without stirring. Add the cashews, and stir until well coated, then spread out onto the prepared baking sheet to cool to room temperature.
• Puree the raspberries, vinegar, and olive oil until smooth; set aside. Toss together the romaine, spinach, pears, cherries, and feta cheese in a large bowl. Toss with half of the raspberry dressing, and sprinkle with candied cashews. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.

SPINACH SALAD WITH CARAMELIZED PECANS

Steps:

• Melt butter in small frying pan over low heat.
• Add pecans and brown sugar.
• Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture is caramelized.
• Spread out on wax paper to cool.
• In bowl toss together spinach, pecans, apple and cheese.
• Add oil and vinegar and toss again until everything is coated.
• Chef's note: To make ahead for a special dinner--toss apple with dressing. Layer on greens, cheese and pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and put in refrigerator until needed, tossing just before serving.

SPINACH BERRY SALAD WITH CANDIED WALNUTS

Steps:

• For the dressing: Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, honey, jam, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the oil in a slow stream and continue whisking until the dressing is emulsified.
• For the salad: Toss together the spinach, blackberries, onions and Candied Walnuts in a large salad bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss. Using a vegetable peeler, shave some cheese over the top.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the walnuts and stir to coat. Raise the heat to medium, add the sugar and cook until the sugar is dissolved and caramelized, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then transfer the mixture to the baking sheet. Spread the nuts in a single layer. Let the walnuts cool until hardened, about 15 minutes.

SPINACH SALAD WITH ORANGES, DRIED CHERRIES, AND CANDIED PECANS

Steps:

• Cut and peel white pith from oranges. Cut between membranes to release orange segments into a small bowl.
• Combine shallot with balsamic vinegar in bowl. Whisk in olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place orange segments, spinach, and cherries in salad bowl, and toss with dressing. Break apart pecans and add to salad. Sprinkle goat cheese on top and serve.