Dressed in a warm cherry pancetta vinaigrette, this spinach salad is packed with amazing flavor and texture. Almond-crusted goat cheese and crisp fennel make the salad a substantial side to any main course (especially a flakey white fish). The cherry flavor of the vinaigrette is not overwhelming. The cherry vinegar adds a wonderful depth of flavor that is sure to satisfy your palate. Continue for the recipe.
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Warm Spinach Salad with Cherry Pancetta Vinaigrette
Adapted from Epicurious.
Ingredients
- 5 pancetta slices (about ½ pound), cut into ½ inch pieces
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup cherry vinegar (or you could use balsamic vinegar)
- 3 tablespoons minced shallots
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup sliced almonds
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 11 oz. log soft fresh goat cheese, cut crosswise into 6 rounds
- 6 cups packed baby spinach
- 1 small fennel bulb, sliced into sticks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Cook pancetta in a heavy, large skillet over medium heat until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy pancetta to a paper towel covered plate. Remove skillet from heat. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet and add olive oil. Whisk cherry vinegar, shallots, garlic and brown sugar in a small bowl and add to the skillet. Stir over medium-low heat just until warm. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use warm.*
- Spread the sliced almonds on to plate. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, 1 tablespoon water and a couple turns of freshly ground black pepper. Dip the goat cheese rounds in the egg mixture, let any excess egg run off, then coat with sliced almonds. Place rounds on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until warm (about 10 minutes).
- Combine greens and fennel in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Divide salad among 6 plates. Top each serving with a sprinkling of pancetta bits and 1 goat cheese round.
Notes
* The vinaigrette can be prepared earlier the same day. Just reheat right before you are ready to dress the salad.
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Christi says
The flavors all sound great, the fennel in particular. Think i’ll modify a veg version this weekend:) Danke!
Brandon Matzek says
@Christi I am loving fennel right now. Recently I caramelized a few bulbs and served as a side dish. Let me know how your vegetarian version turns out. Mmmmmbitte schön!