Simple Spinach Salad
A simple but divine spinach salad with homemade balsamic vinaigrette!
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach
For the dressing:
- ½ clove minced garlic
- 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- Pinch of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Put your spinach into a big bowl. If you're using any add-ins, go ahead and add them now. (See notes for ideas.)
- Mix all of the dressing ingredients together in a small jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake them up until it's well mixed. (Alternatively, you can whisk them together in a small bowl.)
- Pour the dressing over the spinach right before you’re ready to serve and toss well to get the salad evenly coated. Enjoy!
Notes
Oil and vinegar: It helps to have really good balsamic vinegar and olive oil here since those are your big flavors. It doesn't need to be the most expensive, just very good quality and flavor.
Ratio note: I use closer to a 1:1 ratio of oil:vinegar, which suits our tastes. You can add up to an additional 2 tablespoons of olive oil if you'd like to have closer to the more traditional 3:1 ratio of oil:vinegar for your dressing.
Topping ideas:
- Cheese - Blue cheese, feta, goat, Parmesan, mozzarella, etc.
- Nuts - Walnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, slivered almonds, etc.
- Fruit - Diced strawberries, sliced peaches, blueberries, diced apple, etc.
- Dried fruit - Dried cranberries, dried cherries, dried apricots, etc.
- Veggies - Tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, bell pepper, etc.
- Crunchies: Croutons, Parmesan crisps, wonton strips, etc.
- Cooked, crumbled bacon
- Sliced hard boiled eggs
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 59kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 64mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g
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