Name: Spiced Pecan Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette
Ingredients: 1 cup pecan halves; 1 egg white; 1-1/2 Tbsp Pecan Spice Blend or Chinese five spice powder ((Recipe follows)); 2 Tbsp strawberry preserves; 2 Tbsp cider vinegar; 1 Tbsp water; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 1/4 cup pecan or vegetable oil; 4 cups spinach; 3 green onions (thinly sliced); 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese; 2 Tbsp salt; 3 Tbsp sugar; 3 Tbsp smoked paprika; 2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic; 2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel; 1-1/2 tsp ground cumin; 3/4 tsp crushed rosemary; 2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic; 2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel; 1-1/2 tsp ground cumin; 3/4 tsp crushed rosemary

Spiced Pecan Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

The warm spiciness of these Spiced Pecans is perfect with the sweet tanginess of the Strawberry Vinaigrette. You’ll want to make a batch just to snack on.

Course

Appetizer, Salads, Side Dish

Cuisine

American

Servings

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

1 cup pecan halves
1 egg white
1-1/2 Tbsp Pecan Spice Blend or Chinese five spice powder (Recipe follows)
2 Tbsp strawberry preserves
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup pecan or vegetable oil
4 cups spinach
3 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Pecan Spice Blend

2 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp smoked paprika
2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic
2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
1-1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp crushed rosemary

2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic
2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
1-1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp crushed rosemary

Course

Appetizer, Salads, Side Dish

Cuisine

American

Servings

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

1 cup pecan halves
1 egg white
1-1/2 Tbsp Pecan Spice Blend or Chinese five spice powder (Recipe follows)
2 Tbsp strawberry preserves
2 Tbsp cider vinegar
1 Tbsp water
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup pecan or vegetable oil
4 cups spinach
3 green onions thinly sliced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Pecan Spice Blend

2 Tbsp salt
3 Tbsp sugar
3 Tbsp smoked paprika
2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic
2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
1-1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp crushed rosemary

2-1/2 Tbsp powdered garlic
2-1/2 Tbsp dried lemon peel
1-1/2 tsp ground cumin
3/4 tsp crushed rosemary

Instructions

Pecan Spice Blend Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk together all spice ingredients.
Store in a jar or other airtight container.

Salad Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg white until frothy. Add the pecan halves and toss to coat well. Sprinkle evenly with spice blend and toss to coat well.
Spread pecans in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake, stirring once or twice until browned, crisp, and well-toasted, approx.12 minutes.
While pecans are toasting, whisk together the strawberry preserves, vinegar, water, salt, and black pepper. Whisk in oil in a slow and steady stream until incorporated.
To serve, plate the spinach onto a serving platter. Top with spiced pecans, green onions, and feta cheese. Drizzle with the strawberry vinaigrette.

Recipe Notes

Recipe and photos courtesy of Seth Freedman, PeachDish and Stacy Little, SouthernBite.com and The National Pecan Shellers Association.

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