Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

A favorite retro number from the 70's and 80's, but it really, it got its start in the 1300's and then Germanic immigrants to the states, where it gloried in fern bars everywhere.

It's fallen out of favor, but it's still delicious and worth making for a crowd.

Salads like this remind me of my dancing days in NYC, and iconic spots like The Saloon, across from The Met. A vast, airy fern bar joint, with incredible light from huge walnut paned windows, where the waitresses wore roller skates and the food was as fabulous as the vibe. I’d meet my pals after their matinee performances at NYCB, and we’d run across the street, dance bags in tow, to feast on salads muffins and iced tea. Those were the days. Cherry cola lip gloss, anyone?

Total Time: 30 min Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS:

8 oz fresh spinach

4 or 5 mushroom caps, sliced thin (button or crimini)

5 hard-boiled eggs, sliced or quartered

8 slices bacon, rough crumble (& reserved drippings)

DRESSING:

1/3 cup cider vinegar (or balsamic)

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp mustard (I use German, but use what you've got)

1/4 tp garlic powder (or fresh- measure with your heart)

1/4 tsp onion powder (or 2 tbsp fresh grated onion)

salt and pepper to taste

reserved bacon drippings (about 6 tbsp) Note: This makes a double batch, because you'll want a double batch for later.

I promise. It's also great on pork chops.

DIRECTIONS:

• preheat oven to 350 and bake bacon on a sheet tray until desired deliciousness (this keeps it flat, renders the fat and keeps the kitchen cleaner - win!)

• drain bacon on paper towels and reserve drippings

• add vinegar and the rest of the dressing ingredients to a bowl or dressing jar and mix. (adding directly to the jar you'll keep it in saves cleanup time)

• add warm bacon drippings and mi x or shake to combine

• assemble greens, hard boiled eggs, bacon crumbles and mushrooms in serving bowls

• dress salad as you serve

NOTE: Using my Instant Pot to make the hard boiled eggs is the easiest peel result I've tried yet. It only takes 4 minutes to steam in the pressure setting. Check yours for directions.