Spring Spinach Salad

Ok, everyone, here it goes, the Spring Spinach Salad Recipe. This is pretty much a pantry recipe, (for me at least). These are ingredients I always keep on hand. Well, except for the greens...

Spring Spinach Salad

serves 8 as a first course

this isn't the cheapest salad to make, and is great for special ocassions.

We eat it on Easter and birthdays.

11 oz. fresh spinach, baby spinach, or baby greens (organic - $5.99)

1 c. walnut halves ($1.25)

3/4 c. raisins (organic - $.65)

1 c. vegetable oil ($.87)

3 T. balsamic vinegar ($.25)

1/4 c. sugar ($.08)

1 t. worcestshire sauce ($.06)

1/3 c. ketchup (organic - $.19)

1 clove garlic, minced ($.02)

1/4 t. salt (<$.01)

Juice of 1 orange ($.30 - Haymarket)

1 small red onion, thinly sliced ($.07 - optional...it's really good, but it makes your mouth taste like onions all day. It's good, but personally, I don't think it's worth it)

Total (with onion) is $9.74. That's $1.22/serving. Trust me, you'd pay $8 a plate for this salad in a restuarant. At least.

The total for just the dressing is $1.78.

1. Combine vinegar, sugar, worcestshire, ketchup, garlic, salt, and orange juice.
2. Whisk in 1 c. oil
3. To plate salad: put down a handful of greens, a sprinkle of walnuts, a sprinkle of raisins, a few thin onion slices (if you choose to use them). Then top with dressing. You could also just put everything in a bowl and toss it with the dressing. It looks way better to plate it, though!

I hope you all enjoy this salad as much as my family does. It makes me want it just typing this recipe. Maybe i'll make it for my mother-in-law this weekend!

scrimpyTips:

- You could use canola oil or olive oil (the olive oil taste will show through, however, and it's better to just have the unflavored oil). But, if all you have is olive, it will still be good.

- This dressing would be a great glaze for grilled or baked chicken.

- Goat or feta cheese would be a nice addition to this salad.