Easy/cool spinach salad?

[swquilts]

I'm at a loss and right now don't have time to do a search. It's going to be 110 today and I've managed to talk DH into finally grilling some chicken thighs. (We've been cleaning out fridge/freezer and doing easy stuff since it's been too bloody hot, chicken needs to be eaten) Anyway, does anyone have an easy spinach recipe handy? I could do the poppyseed dressing and skip the fresh fruit (don't have any right now), but would really like something different.

Thanks!

PS: The chicken thighs will have a general rub type thing, probably the Reedley Rub then marinated in beer.

[SueK]

This is a good one from SL:

Fresh Spinach-and-Apple Salad with Cinnamon Vinaigrette

2 medium apples, thinly sliced
6 cups torn spinach leaves
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dried mustard (I used Dijon)
1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine spinach and apples in a serving bowl. Whisk together honey and
next 6 ingredients until well blended. Pour mixture over salad, tossing
gently. Serve immediately.

Source:
"Southern Living-Feb/05"

[erinlovesmarc]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this salad!!! :D So nice in the summer, especially great for BBQ's and when having people over for dinner...

Lemon Spinach Salad
Source: Party Dish Show - Trish Magwood - Foodnetwork.ca

Ingredients:
Lemon Spinach Salad
1/3 cup (75mL) lemon juice
1/2 cup (50 mL) sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon rind
1/4 cup vegetable or grape seed oil
3 cups (750 mL) fresh spinach
1 cup (250 mL) fresh strawberries
1/2 cup (125 mL) pine nuts or sunflower seeds, toasted

Directions:
Lemon Spinach Salad
In the bowl of a food processor or blender combine lemon juice, sugar, mustard, grated lemon rind and oil. Pulse until combined and thickened.
In a large bowl, toss together, spinach, strawberries, and sunflower seeds. Toss with enough dressing to coat.
Refrigerate remaining dressing in a covered container.

[Terrytx]

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this salad!!! :D So nice in the summer, especially great for BBQ's and when having people over for dinner...

Lemon Spinach Salad

another vote for this one.

[Goin' Coastal]

I really like this one - it says "Autumn", but with the citrusy dressing, it seems more summer to me. I'm not a blue cheese fan, so I use a few walnuts and dried cranberries instead.

Autumn Apple and Spinach Salad


Goldrush, a recent apple cultivar, has a nice balance of sweetness and acidity that's ideal for this salad. Other suitable varieties include Albemarle (Newtown) Pippin, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady, Golden Russet, and Roxbury Russet.

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
8 cups bagged prewashed baby spinach (about 8 ounces)
1 large, firm, sweet-tart apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled blue cheese

Combine first 6 ingredients, stirring well with a whisk.
Combine onion, spinach, and apple in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 1/3 cups)

NUTRITION PER SERVING
CALORIES 60(29% from fat); FAT 1.9g (sat 1g,mono 0.5g,poly 0.1g); PROTEIN 2.7g; CHOLESTEROL 4mg; CALCIUM 76mg; SODIUM 251mg; FIBER 2.2g; IRON 1.3mg; CARBOHYDRATE 9.4g

Domenica Marchetti
Cooking Light, OCTOBER 2004

[fancyn]

My family LOVES this one. I believe this recipe came from Goddess in the Kitchen, a cookbook my DBF gave me several years back. :) You can also sub cantelope for the oranges.

Mandarin Spinach Salad

DRESSING:
¼ cup canola oil
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Juice of 1 large lemon
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 raw egg or egg substitute (optional)
½ teaspoon poppy seeds (optional)

SALAD:
1 bunch (8-10 ounces), spinach leaves, rinsed and stems removed
2 hard-boiled eggs, cooled and chopped
2 to 4 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1 can (11-ounces) mandarin orange sections, drained and cut into halves


Combine the oil, cheese, mustard, sugar, Worcestershire, lemon juice, garlic, pepper, salt, and egg (if using) in a blender. Combine until smooth. Add poppy seeds if desired. Place the spinach in a chilled bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the spinach and toss gently. Immediately before serving, add the chopped eggs, bacon and mandarin oranges.

Yields: 4 servings

[stacy7272]

This one by Rachael Ray, posted by bobmark, is beyond words...it is sssooo good. Here is the thread devoted to it: http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?t=81401&highlight=heaven+dinner+plate%22

Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing Recipe
courtesy Rachael Ray

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

1 (10-ounce) sack baby spinach
1/3 pound blue cheese, crumbled
1 (6 ounce) can walnut halves, toasted
1/4 cup maple syrup, warmed
1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper

Place spinach on a large platter. Top with blue cheese and walnuts. Warm maple syrup in a small saucepan. Pour vinegar into a small bowl. Whisk oil into vinegar in a slow stream. Whisk maple syrup into dressing in a slow stream. Pour dressing down over the salad platter and serve. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste.