These are a Few of My Favorite Things' Spinach Salad for 2

From a local Middle Eastern/Mediterranean take-out restaurant in town. I added a few of my own twists. Be sure the dried cherries you use for this recipe are tart to balance the flavor correctly. No eggplants were harmed in the making of this salad. Use unbleached white sugar or agave nectar for a vegan version.

• Ready In: 12 mins
• Serves: 2

Ingredients

• 4  cups  baby spinach leaves, washed and spun dried
• 2  tablespoons dried tart cherries (read intro)
• 2  tablespoons  toasted walnut halves
• 1  small shallot, cut into thin crescents
• 1  small  sweet blood orange, cut into small segments (ok to substitute standard orange)

• Vinaigrette

• 2  tablespoons honey (I've also used agave nectar) or 2  tablespoons  unbleached white sugar (I've also used agave nectar)
• 2  tablespoons water
• 2  tablespoons  white balsamic vinegar or 2  tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1⁄2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or 1⁄2 tablespoon  grapeseed oil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  orange blossom water
• 1⁄4 teaspoon rose water
• 1  pinch ground cinnamon
•  kosher salt, to taste
•  fresh cracked black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Prepare the vinaigrette by placing the honey (or sugar) and water in a non-reactive pan; bring to a boil. Boil until mixture is reduced by half.
2. Remove from heat and whisk in the vinegar, oil, orange blossom water, rose water and cinnamon.
3. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Season with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.
4. Combine all the salad ingredients in a bowl and toss gently with the vinaigrette.
5. Arrange on two salad plates.
6. Serve with whole wheat pita bread or French baguette.