Cooking Lesson #1123: Wilted Spinach Salad with warm bacon dressing

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? Warm crispy bacon is the star of this simple spinach salad. This is one of those epic, non-composed, dressy dishes that I first tasted prepared tableside at Stear’s for Steaks on Restaurant Row in Beverly Hills. I was hooked on this smoky, tangy dressing drizzled over crisp (soon to be wilted) greens. Honestly, it’s been a staple in my kitchen ever since, especially when I want something quick yet impressive.
 
The bacon fat is what makes this salad very special.  With spinach as its main ingredient, you would think it would be very healthy until it is dressed in a hot bacon dressing which slightly wilts the spinach. Popular in the 1970s and into the 1980s, I am reintroducing this classic version to a new generation in my blog.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Yield: 4 to 6 Servings
 
Ingredients 
1 pound fresh spinach
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
5 slices diced crispy bacon
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 coarsely chopped hard cooked egg
 
Directions

1. Read the recipe all the way through before starting. Measure all ingredients and have at your side.
2. Wash the spinach thoroughly to get rid of any sand. 
3. Discard the stems and any discolored leaves. 
4. Pat the spinach dry and tear piece into a bowl. 
5. Add the green onions and sprinkle the greens with pepper. 
6. Chill the bowl in a refrigerator.
7. Just before serving, fry the bacon pieces in a sauté pan or electric skillet until crisp-cooked. Do not drain.
8. Add the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar and salt. Mix well.
9. Remove the dressing from heat. 
10. Pull the bowl of spinach from the refrigerator. Drizzle the contents of the sauté pan over the bowl of spinach.
11. Toss the spinach with the warm dressing just till the leaves are coated and slightly wilted. 
12. Plate the wilted, dressed spinach and sprinkle with hard cooked eggs.

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ChefSecret:  I’m showing the basic salad, but you can up the ante by adding rich red tomatoes, tender mushrooms, fresh red onion and toasty croutons for a hearty salad your whole family will enjoy.
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Quip of the Day:  What did the spinach say to the celery? Stop stalking me, I’m all about that green life!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Salads #WiltedSpinachSalad #WarmBaconDressing #HolidaySalad #Spinach #Bacon #MerryChristmas #HolidayRecipes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

#Salads #WiltedSpinachSalad #WarmBaconDressing #HolidaySalad #Spinach #Bacon #MerryChristmas #HolidayRecipes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup 

                                                                                 ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

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