"Christmas Salad" Recipe

Spinach, Raspberries,
Gorgonzola and Walnuts

Favorite Restaurant Salad Recipe


I call this a Christmas Salad because of the colors and simplicity of preparing a really wonderful treat on a special day, especially when you may be short on time.

I think tender baby spinach is one of the best salad greens of all. Buy it prewashed and ready-to-use to save a lot of your time (it's worth it).


The Raspberry Vinaigrette Recipe (below) married with Gorgonzola cheese combine perfectly, enhancing one another and the spinach and walnuts, creating a simple - but delicious - salad.

I also think this particular salad, although great with many entrees, is a perfect match with a steak, especially filet mignon or a Roast Tenderloin of Beef.

Restaurant Christmas Salad

Favorite Restaurant Salad Recipe


Preparation time: 5 minutes. Serves 10 - 12


Ingredients:

  • 2 nine ounce packages of cleaned, ready-to-use baby spinach
  • 1-2 cups of fresh raspberries or strawberries and blueberries (optional) (to taste)
  • 1 cup of chopped walnuts (or pecans or almonds)
  • Gorgonzola cheese, crumbles (to taste - or a stronger Bleu cheese if you'd like) or Feta
  • Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing (your favorite from the supermarket or use the recipe below)

 

Instructions:

  • In a large bowl, combine the baby spinach, Gorgonzola cheese and chopped nuts
  • Add the dressing to your taste and toss to coat all the spinach (use your hands with latex gloves on)
  • Plate the salads, adding the cheese and nuts that remain in the bottom of the bowl
  • Top each salad with some raspberries


Raspberry Vinaigrette Salad Dressing Recipe

 

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup light extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
  • Sugar (start with 2 teaspoons - taste - then adjust gradually)
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Freshly ground black pepper

 

Instructions:

  • Combine the oil and vinegar in a jar or bowl
  • Add the sugar, salt and pepper to taste and shake or stir to combine
  • Add to the spinach salad mixture sparingly, adjust for taste after tossing

Enjoy your salad and the company of those you share it with! - Donna