Spinach Salad With Gorgonzola Croutons And Bacon Twists

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 8 slices bacon (1/2 lb.)
• 1/4 cup crumbled gorgonzola
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
• 4 slices country bread, half-inch thick, preferably sourdough
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 lb spinach, coarse stems discarded
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced crosswise and separated into rings
• 2 large hard-boiled eggs, quartered

Recipe

• 1 put racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 375°f.
• 2 twist each bacon slice into a tight spiral and arrange twists on rack of broiler pan, pressing ends onto pan(twists will unravel somewhat as they bake).
• 3 bake in upper third of oven until crisp, about 30 minutes. transfer to paper towels to drain.
• 4 meanwhile, mash together gorgonzola and butter in a shallow bowl with a fork. spread generously on bread slices.
• 5 cut slices into 1-inch squares and arrange on a baking sheet.
• 6 after bacon has cooked for 15 minutes, put croutons in lower third of oven. bake until golden and crisp, about 15 minutes.
• 7 while croutons bake, using a large heavy knife, mince and mash garlic to a paste with salt.
• 8 combine mayonnaise, oil, vinegar, honey, and garlic paste in a blender and blend until smooth.
• 9 toss together spinach, warm croutons, and onion in a servng bowl and toss with dressing. top with bacon twists and eggs.