Fresh Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Hot Bacon Dressing

May is a big month for strawberries.  While we have just planted our tiny strawberry plants at home, the stores are full of big, plump, and juicy berries.  I headed to Walmart to pick up a few containers of this favorite fruit, and (after I hid them from my obsessed toddler), I whipped up this simple and delicious salad that my family went crazy for!

You will need:

• 1 lb fresh strawberries, rinsed, and sliced
• 1 bag of fresh whole leaf spinach, rinsed and dried
• 1/4 red onion, sliced thin, with rings intact
• 1 bag candied walnuts, pecans, or another "sweetened" nut
• 1 lb bacon (with grease reserved)

The basic premise of this salad is simple.  To prepare, just wash and slice the strawberries, thinly slice the red onions, and mix them into the salad along with crumbled bacon and candied walnuts.  Now, you can decide if you want to top with a store-bought vinaigrette (raspberry works nicely), or you can choose to make your own homemade hot bacon dressing.

To make the dressing, you will need:

• Reserved bacon grease from one pound bacon
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1/8 cup finely diced red onions
• 1 clove finely diced fresh garlic
• 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch (optional)
• 1 teaspoon water (optional)

Warm the bacon grease in a small saucepan.  Add olive oil, finely diced red onions, fresh garlic, salt and pepper to taste.  After the onions are softened, add in white sugar and apple cider vinegar.  Continue to simmer until vinegar and sugar combine.  To thicken dressing, add in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon water and simmer until the consistency you desire.

Allow to cool to a "warm" temperature, then drizzle over the salad, toss, and serve! 

Do you have a favorite strawberry or spinach dish you can't live without?  See some of our other favorites:

3-Ingredient Chocolate Strawberry Tartlettes

Yummy Ways to Use Freeze-Dried Strawberries

Easy Freezer Meals: Strawberry Banana Muffins

DIY Fruity Cream Cheese Spread

Wilted Spinach with Onions

Quick Homemade Turkey Soup with Veggies


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