Spinach, Goat Cheese, Raspberry & Walnut Salad

Name: Spinach, Goat Cheese, Raspberry & Walnut Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5 ounces baby spinach; ¼ medium red onion, very thinly sliced; 4 to 5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled; ½ cup pecan halves; 6 ounces fresh raspberries or see note for additional options; 1 tablespoon thick balsamic vinegar* or balsamic glaze, drizzled over the top; Freshly ground black pepper; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; ½ teaspoon maple syrup or honey; 1 small clove garlic, pressed or minced; ⅛ teaspoon fine salt, to taste; Several twists of freshly ground black pepper

8 steps

Prep:15minCook:5min

Updated at: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 21:41:06 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Great

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

Low

Nutrition per serving

Calories200.1 kcal (10%)

Total Fat17.7 g (25%)

Carbs6.7 g (3%)

Sugars2.6 g (3%)

Protein5.4 g (11%)

Sodium164.7 mg (8%)

Fiber3.3 g (12%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

6 servings

5 ouncesbaby spinach

0.25red onion

medium, very thinly sliced

4 ouncesgoat cheese

crumbled

½ cuppecan halves

6 ouncesfresh raspberries

or see note for additional options

1 tablespoonbalsamic vinegar

thick, or balsamic glaze, drizzled over the top

freshly ground black pepper

Vinegrette

3 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoonsherry vinegar

1 teaspoondijon mustard

½ teaspoonmaple syrup

or honey

1clove garlic

small, pressed or minced

⅛ teaspoonfine salt

to taste

4 twistsfreshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Step 1

Prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

Step 2

Toast the pecan halves in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, stirring often, until they are warm and smell fragrant, about 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside.

Step 3

To assemble the salad, place the spinach and sliced onion in a large serving bowl. Drizzle in all of the dressing, and gently toss until the spinach is lightly coated.

Step 4

Top the salad with the goat cheese, toasted pecans, and raspberries. Sprinkle a few twists of black pepper on top, then drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the top.

Step 5

Serve promptly. Leftovers keep well for a couple of days, covered and refrigerated.

Step 6

NOTES

Step 7

RASPBERRY ALTERNATIVES: Thinly sliced apple, pear, peach or nectarine, strawberries, or roasted root vegetables, such as beets, carrots, or sweet potatoes.

Step 8

MAKE IT DAIRY FREE/VEGAN: Omit the goat cheese.*BALSAMIC VINEGAR NOTE: For a beautiful drizzle and impactful flavor, you must use high-quality, thick balsamic vinegar (like Napa Valley Naturals’ Grand Reserve Vinegar—make sure you get the bottle with “25 stars” on it) or balsamic glaze/reduction (DeLallo and Alessi make them). Or, make your own balsamic reduction with regular runny balsamic!