Wilted Spinach Salad

It's time to enjoy spring greens! Learn how to make the perfect soft-boiled egg and maximize your salad making skills with our take on a classic wilted spinach salad. Jammy eggs, crispy bacon, and wilted spinach come together with creamy goat cheese, crunchy breadcrumbs, and a tangy, fresh, warm dressing. Delicious!

Wilted Spinach Salad with a Perfect Soft-Boiled Egg
Makes 4 salads

Ingredients:
For the Breadcrumbs:
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup hearty (and slightly stale) bread, pulsed into breadcrumbs
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the Salad:
1/2 lb. bacon, fried and crumbled
4 eggs, soft-boiled and halved
2 lbs. fresh spinach or baby spinach
1/2 small shallot, thinly sliced
4 oz. goat cheese, crumbled into bite-sized pieces

For the Warm Bacon Dressing:
2 tablespoons reserved bacon fat
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
1. Prepare the Breadcrumbs: Making your own breadcrumbs is a snap! Toss a few slices of stale bread in a food processor and pulse into a fine texture. Spread the crumbs in a single layer on a sheet pan and and pop into a 300 degree oven for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted. (Watch carefully.) Once cooled, they're ready to use on salads or casseroles.

2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and toss with the breadcrumbs. Over medium heat, stir the breadcrumbs often and toast until golden brown. Season with Kosher salt and pepper. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Prepare the Bacon: In the same skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon, and let cool on a paper towel-lined plate. Crumble. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease for the dressing.

4. Prepare the Dressing: In a small saucepan, combine the rendered bacon fat with the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Heat the dressing until just warmed.

5. Prepare the Soft-boiled Eggs: Bring a saucepan filled halfway with water to boil. Add the eggs and boil for exactly six minutes. Remove immediately from the boiling water and cool slightly by running under cold water for about a minute. Peel and halve the eggs. Soft boiled eggs may be made ahead of time and kept in their shells and in the fridge for up to two days. To reheat, drop the pre-cooked eggs into boiling water for three minutes. Cool slightly, peel, and serve!

6. Assemble and Serve the Salad: Just before the eggs finish boiling, toss the spinach with the bacon crumbles, shallot, and the warm bacon dressing. Toss with tongs until the spinach begins to wilt slightly. Plate each dish with a serving of wilted spinach, one soft-boiled egg cut in half, a few crumbles of goat cheese, and a generous sprinkle of toasted breadcrumbs. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Spring Panzanella

Is it spring yet? Bring it on with our snappy and colorful Spring Panzanella Salad! You’ll find it a satisfying dinner, or a delightful side salad. This healthy salad is packed with spring veggies like roasted asparagus, crunchy snap peas, and super-thin, sliced radishes. Further, this salad experience is elevated with homemade seasoned croutons, creamy goat cheese, a fresh tangy dressing, and tasty garnishes.

Spring Panzanella
Makes 2 large entrée salads, or 4 side salads

Crouton Ingredients:
2-3 cups cubed of rustic loaf of bread, cut into 1-1/2” cubes
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried Herbes de Provence seasoning
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Salad Ingredients:
3-4 cups baby arugula
1 cup snap peas, sliced on the big angle
1/2 bunch asparagus, sliced into 1 inch pieces (tossed with olive oil, Kosher salt, pepper) 4 oz goat cheese, bite sized pieces
4 radishes, thinly sliced with mandoline

Vinaigrette Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (zest, and then juice)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence
1 teaspoon shallot, minced
1 teaspoon honey

Garnish Ingredients:
lemon zest of 1 lemon
10 mint leaves, cut into a chiffonade

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Slice the asparagus into 1” pieces. Toss with one tablespoon of olive oil and salt and pepper. Roast the asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet for 5 minutes, or until just crisp tender.

2. Prepare the cubed bread into semi-soft croutons. Melt the butter in a large skillet and mix with the olive oil. Toss the cubed bread in the skillet until evenly coated. Sprinkle with the Herbs de Provence, kosher salt, and pepper. Stir the croutons while heating until they are lightly toasted on all sides.

3. Meanwhile, prepare the snap peas by washing and cutting on a dramatic angle to reveal the peas inside.

4. Prepare the radishes by washing and cutting thin slices with a mandoline. Take care! Mandolines are super sharp, amazing tools that should be respected. We recommend to gear up for safety and use a protective glove AND the hand guard. The thin slices are so worth it!

5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all of the vinaigrette ingredients until emulsified.

6. Mix the salad together in a large bowl. Toss the arugula, sliced radishes, and asparagus with the dressing until coated.

7. Carefully layer in the snap peas and croutons. Top with bite-sized pieces of goat cheese and garnish with lemon zest and fresh mint.

Apple, Pomegranate, Kale Salad

Did someone say warm, fall salad? Yes, please! In this recipe, we highlight delicious fall produce like crunchy apples, hearty kale, and tart pomegranates. Paired with earthy Gorgonzola, and tangy dried apricots, this beauty is topped with sweet and spicy pecans -- a garnish so good you’ll need to make a double batch!

Apple, Pomegranate, Kale Salad
Serves 6–8

Salad Ingredients:
2 bunches Lacinato kale leaves, torn into pieces
1 bunch green kale, torn into pieces
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup pomegranate arils (or 1 pomegranate)
1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
10 dried apricots, sliced

Sweet and Spicy Pecans:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup unsalted pecan halves

Dressing Ingredients:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 shallot, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 275°F. Combine the butter, cayenne, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Add the pecans and toss to coat. Spread the mixture on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the nuts are browned. Remove from heat and let cool. (Store any leftover pecans in a dry, airtight container for up to 2 weeks.)

2. Meanwhile, add the kale to a large salad bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and olive oil and massage with your hands for 2-3 minutes until the kale pieces start to become tender.

3. Make the dressing by heating the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.

4. Whisk together the remaining dressing ingredients. Pour in the olive oil and shallot into the dressing and stir.

5. Drizzle half of the the dressing on the kale and use tongs to toss. Arrange the pomegranate arils, apples, Gorgonzola cheese, and dried apricots on top of the salad. Drizzle the salad with the remaining dressing and top with the sweet and spicy pecans. Serve immediately.

Classic Sloppy Joes

A classic loose meat sandwich, also known as a “Sloppy Joe,” is an easy answer to “what’s for dinner?” These sandwiches come together easily with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s a great recipe for including kids in the kitchen. Served on a buttered and toasted buns, these sweet and tangy sandwiches simmered in a zingy tomato sauce always hit the spot! Make it a meal with a side of chips and our favorite super easy onion dip!

Classic Sloppy Joes
Makes 4 - 6 sandwiches

A classic loose meat sandwich, also known as a “Sloppy Joe,” is an easy answer to “what’s for dinner?” These sandwiches come together easily with just a handful of ingredients. Plus, it’s a great recipe for including kids in the kitchen. Served on a buttered and toasted buns, these sweet and tangy sandwiches simmered in a zingy tomato sauce always hit the spot! Make it a meal with a side of chips and our favorite super easy onion dip!

Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 large sweet onion, minced (about 1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
6 oz tomato paste
1 -to 1-1/4 cup cold water
6 buttered and toasted hamburger buns

Directions:
1. Prepare the onion and garlic by cutting into a fine mince.

2. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef. Chop and stir into small pieces and cook until well browned. Drain the ground beef in a paper towel-lined bowl.

3. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, and sauté until the onions have softened. Add the cooked ground beef back to the pan and stir until combined.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the sauce. Add the brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and tomato paste and stir to combine.

5. Add the sauce to the meat mixture and stir until combined.

6. Add 1 cup of water to the mixture and simmer on low for 15 minutes or until the meat captures the sauce’s flavors. Stir the mixture occasionally as it simmers, and add additional water, as needed.

7. Butter the buns and arrange closely together on a large sheet pan. Broil until the buns are toasted to a golden brown. (Watch closely!)

8. Serve on a toasted and buttered bun with your favorite toppings.

Super Easy Onion Dip:
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
2-3 tablespoons half & half
1-2 tablespoons minced onion, (more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

In a small food processor, blend together the dip ingredients. Add the half and half a few tablespoons at a time until you reach your desired dipping consistency. Adjust the dip by adding more onion and black pepper according to your taste. Serve with your favorite style of potato chips or fresh veggies!

Try Our Grilled Corn and Quinoa Summer Salad

Two grains, corn and quinoa, share an ancient history as important crops in the developing Americas. IN THIS ISSUE, we’ve made them the cornerstone of a salad that’s hearty, and nutritionally balanced enough to be the main entrée. Grilled sweet corn only gets tastier with the addition of healthy quinoa, summer-ripe tomatoes, fresh basil, and a bright lemony vinaigrette.

We Can Still Grill, Right? Brats and Amazing Sides

We’re all bonding with our homes more these days! Mix up mealtime with a “picnic” on the patio, deck, or even driveway! And, there’s no time like the present to get some summer grilling underway! 

IN THIS ISSUE, we’ve assembled a delicious menu for an at-home outdoor dinner: beer-boiled then grilled brats, zipped-up baked beans, and a grilled potato salad ready to elevate the moment!

Entree-Worthy Summer Salads