Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

Name: Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing
Total time: PT0D0H0M
Yield: serves 4-6
Ingredients: 1 lb. spinach; 6 strips bacon, roughly chopped; 2 shallots, finely chopped; 1 ⁄ 3 cup malt vinegar; 1 tbsp. dijon mustard; 2 tsp. sugar; Salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 ⁄ 2 cup fresh chives, chopped; 2 tbsp. chopped fresh savory

Serves
serves 4-6

A descendent of the sauce used in classic German potato salad, a rich and flavorful bacon dressing was used by German-Americans to coat dandelion greens during the 19th century (and perhaps before). The bitter greens were eventually supplanted by spinach, creating this hearty—and classic—dinner salad.

Ingredients

1 lb. spinach
6 strips bacon, roughly chopped
2 shallots, finely chopped
¹⁄₃ cup malt vinegar
1 tbsp. dijon mustard
2 tsp. sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¹⁄₂ cup fresh chives, chopped
2 tbsp. chopped fresh savory

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Instructions

Step 1

Wash and trim spinach; transfer to a bowl.

Step 2

Cook bacon in a small pot over medium-high heat, stirring often, until crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a paper towel–lined plate.

Step 3

Add shallots to pot with bacon fat and cook until just softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in vinegar, mustard, sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Continue whisking until heated, about 30 seconds. Pour immediately over spinach and toss; sprinkle with crumbled bacon, 1⁄2 cup chopped fresh chives, and 2 tbsp. chopped fresh savory.