The Savory
15 min
Prep Time
0 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
4
Servings
Table of Contents
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, quartered
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta (or goat cheese)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1
Prep spinach
Wash and dry the spinach thoroughly using a salad spinner. Place the crisp, dry leaves in a large salad bowl any moisture will make the dressing slide off.
2
Make dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and creamy.
3
Assemble
Toss the spinach with the sliced red onions, mushrooms, and toasted walnuts until evenly distributed throughout the bowl.
4
Dress and garnish
Add the dressing just before serving to keep the leaves crisp. Top with the quartered hard-boiled eggs and crumbled feta cheese for a beautiful finish.
5 Gourmet Variations
- Warm Bacon & Spinach Salad – Add 4 slices crispy bacon + sauteed shallots. Use a warm bacon vinaigrette.
- Strawberry-Feta Spinach Salad – Add 1 cup sliced strawberries + 1/4 cup slivered almonds. Dress with poppyseed dressing.
- Mediterranean Spinach Salad – Add kalamata olives, cucumber, and chickpeas. Dress with lemon-tahini sauce.
- Asian Sesame Spinach Salad – Add mandarin oranges + crispy wonton strips. Dress with ginger-sesame vinaigrette.
- Steakhouse Spinach Salad – Top with sliced grilled steak + blue cheese crumbles. Dress with creamy blue cheese dressing.
Tips & Tricks
- Washing & Storing Spinach: Soak in cold water to remove grit, then spin dry thoroughly. Store unwashed in a paper towel-lined container for up to 5 days.
- Preventing Sogginess: Always dress just before serving. Use hearty toppings like nuts, seeds, and roasted vegetables that hold up well.
- Reviving Wilted Spinach: An ice water bath for 5 minutes refreshes sad-looking leaves spin dry and they're good as new.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: Spinach is rich in iron, vitamin K, and antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that support eye health.