Spinach Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, Pecans, and Cranberries

Name: Spinach Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, Pecans, and Cranberries
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1/2 pound thick-sliced bacon strips, cut into 1/2-inch cubes; 4 ounces Danish blue cheese, crumbled; 1/4 cup buttermilk; 1/4 cup sour cream; Dash hot sauce; Kosher salt; Freshly ground black pepper; One 12-ounce package baby spinach leaves; 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup dried cranberries; 1 recipe Spiced Pecans (recipe follows); Nonstick vegetable spray; 1/4 cup light-brown sugar; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 cup pecans; Pinch cayenne pepper; (makes 1 cup)

December 9, 2011

Gina: Ours is a spinach salad with some serious attitude. In addition to the bacon and creamy blue cheese dressing, we add sweetened pecans and tart dried cranberries, and the overall effect is to give this salad a festive feel. It’s a great dinner party starter, and it’s especially good partnered with a fat grilled steak. The spiced pecans are good enough to eat on their own as a snack, but try to save them for the salad! And even though we call for dried cranberries, you can substitute a variety of dried fruit, including dried cherries or golden raisins.

Recipe notes

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.