Spinach, Apple and Pecan Salad

Sharlene~W's Note:

Spinach, apples, red onion & pecans in a sweet-tart dressing. To make this salad extra special, I like to glaze the pecans by stirring them with 1 tablespoon sugar in a medium non-stick frying pan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar melts. Pour them out on waxed paper and separate with your spoon while still warm. If you do this, you don't need to toast the pecans. It takes about 5 minutes or so for the sugar to melt.

• Total Time: 10 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard (I prefer Dijon)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1 golden delicious apple, halved, cored, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup red onion, cut in thin strips
• 3/4 lb fresh spinach, washed, stems removed, leaves torn
• 1/2 cup toasted pecans

Directions:

1. In serving bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper until thick.
2. Add apple and onion.
3. Toss until apples and onions are covered with dressing.
4. Place spinach on top, then pecans.
5. Just before serving, toss.

Reviews

[BothFex]

A very nice autumnal salad. Served this last night with sausage and pumpkin pasta (#15276) for our annual pumpkin carving dinner party. All went well and I recieved compliments all around. A few changes I made to the salad: I was out of pecans so I used walnuts and as one of my dinner guests is alergic to raw apples I replaced them with pomegranate seeds- pretty and TASTEY! This is a keeper.

[miss gracie]

If I could give this recipe more than 5 stars I would! The dressing is wonderful - sweet yet slightly tart, too, and the combination of apples, toasted pecans and spinach is terrific. I doubled the dressing ingredients (the single recipe just did not look like enough), substituted a Granny Smith apple, and used a 6 oz. package of baby spinach. Perfection! My kids gave it a thumbs up as well. We will definitely be making this one again and again.

[Young Living in Texas]

Sharlene, you and Junebug made me a star at a family get together. I used organic baby spinach about 12 ounces. This salad should receive more than 5 stars. I let the apples and onion marinade in the sauce. Junebug's Baked Corn Casserole #36673.