Spinach Salad with Berries and Warm Bacon Dressing
Bacon is the base for the warm vinaigrette in this colorful and full-bodied salad recipe. The sweetness of berries and roasted sweet potato marries well with a savory blackberry-bacon dressing. Add grilled chicken breast to make it a meal.
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Serves:
4
Perfect for:
Mothers Day
Fathers Day
Wedding DIY
Dairy Free
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Slices maple wood smoked bacon
- 2 Tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 1/2 Packages (6 ounces) Driscoll's Blackberries
- 1/3 Cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Teaspoons maple syrup
- 24 Ounces spinach leaves, rinsed and dried
- 2 Packages (6 ounces each) Driscoll's Raspberries
- 1/2 Cup pecans, toasted
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes
- Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 red onion, halved and sliced vertically
Directions
- PREHEAT oven to 350°F.
- LINE a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- LINE a large dinner plate with paper towels.
- TOSS sweet potatoes chunks with 3 tablespoons olive oil.
- ARRANGE sweet potato chunks on baking sheet.
- BAKE 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- WIPE CLEAN baking or replace foil/parchment paper as needed.
- LAY 4 slices bacon flat on baking sheet.
- SPRINKLE bacon with 2 tablespoons brown sugar.
- SEASON bacon with salt and pepper.
- BAKE bacon 10 to 12 minutes or until crisp.
- TRANSFER bacon to paper-towel-lined dinner plate.
- ALLOW bacon to cool.
- RESERVE three tablespoons bacon fat for dressing.
- CRUMBLE bacon into 1/2-inch pieces.
- HEAT bacon fat in a large skillet.
- ADD 1 sliced red onion.
- COOK onion over medium heat until golden brown.
- REMOVE onions from heat.
- ADD 1 ½ packages blackberries and 1/3 cup vinegar.
- ADD 2 teaspoons maple syrup.
- STIR gently to combine ingredients.
- PLACE 24 ounces spinach into a large bowl.
- POUR warm dressing over spinach and TOSS mixture quickly to wilt spinach.
- ADD 2 packages raspberries, ½ cup pecans, crumbled bacon, and sweet potato chunks.
- SEASON with salt and pepper.
- TOSS gently to combine.
- SERVE immediately.
