:: Fancy BLT Salad ::
Nicole and I both have a thing for cookbooks… {Anyone with us, out there?} Although it’s fabulous that nowadays one can go on the internet and search for tasty recipes, I still love thumbing through traditional cookbooks. I recently bought a new favorite a few weeks ago {which I highly recommend!}… Against All Grain by Danielle Walker. I first found her lovely paleo-friendly blog, and then bought her delectable cookbook. This Fancy BLT Salad was adapted from her Warm Spinach Salad with Bacon and Mushrooms recipe.
I am not crazy about two kinds of meat in my meals… so I left out the grilled chicken, but you could easily add that back in. I had leftover turkey bacon from breakfast that I had placed in the refrigerator. {I love being able to use extra ingredients that are already prepared and ready to go! It made this salad recipe so quick to make!} I reheated the bacon pieces in a skillet along with the mushrooms. I then tossed all the ingredients together and drizzled a homemade balsamic dressing over the top! Delicious, my friends… simply delicious!
So, you may be wondering why I called it a Fancy BLT Salad. When I took my first bite, it reminded me of a traditional BLT sandwich only a little fancier! Sautéed mushrooms and healthy raw spinach dress this dish up! Other ingredients you may want to add include:
- grilled chunks of chicken breast
- sautéed yellow onion
- fresh basil
- avocado slices
I hope you enjoy this super simple {paleo} salad!
Fancy BLT Salad
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon {I used turkey bacon}
- 4 ounces Portobello mushrooms sliced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half or quartered
- 8 ounces baby spinach
- DRESSING:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- FOR THE SALAD:
- Place the bacon in a skillet over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, until slightly crisp. Set the bacon aside and drain half of the fat from the pan {chop when cool}. Saute sliced mushrooms, in the same skillet, stirring occasionally until mushrooms are slightly brown, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. Place spinach in a bowl, and toss with bacon pieces, cooked mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with vinaigrette {see recipe below}.
- FOR THE VINAIGRETTE:
- Combine fresh lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, sea salt, ground pepper, and minced garlic in a medium bowl. While whisking constantly, add in olive oil.