Buca Di Beppo Warm Tomato and Spinach Salad

I have taken many of their cooking classes which were SO fun! They have stopped doing them in my area much to my sadness because they were great ! This salad is REALLY good. It is truly worth the effort but must be put together at the last minute so the tomatoes are warm.

• Ready In: 37 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  red onion, cut in wedges
• 4 -6  roma tomatoes, wedged
• 16  ounces  fresh  Baby Spinach
• 4  ounces  goat cheese, crumbles

• Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1⁄2 cup  balsamic vinegar
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 2  tablespoons brown sugar
• 1  cup extra virgin olive oil

• pecans

• 1  cup pecan pieces
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:
2. Place balsamic vinegar, garlic and brown sugar in mixing bowl.
3. whisk rapidly by hand while drizzling in the olive oil mix well.
4. Place in glass jar and store in fridge until needed.
5. Pecan's: Preheat oven 350°F.
6. Melt butter in saute pan.
7. Add brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, cayenne pepper and pecan pieces; mix well.
8. Spread pecans on cookie sheet and bake about 5-7 minutes watch carefully to not burn.
9. Remove from oven and let cool.
10. Salad: Place red onion and tomato wedges in medium glass bowl.
11. Stir Balsamic Vinaigrette and pour some of the dressing (leave the rest for top of salad) over the onions and tomatoes.
12. Microwave for about 2-3 minutes.
13. Place spinach on large plate.
14. Using large spoon, place tomatoes AROUND the spinach not on top.
15. Place the onions on TOP of the spinach.
16. Pour some of the dressing over the salad coating as desired and mix well.
17. Sprinkle pecans and goat cheese over salad.