Emeril's Spinach, Orange and Candied Almond Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar, plus
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1/2 cup almonds, sliced
• 4 small oranges

Dressing

• 1/4 cup champagne or white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salad

• 6 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
• 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinkly sliced and cut into crescents
• freshly ground cracked black pepper

Directions

1. 1

   Lightly grease a 10" square of parchment paper with butter or vegetable oil and set aside.

2. 2

   Use a salad spinner to rinse the baby spinach thoroughy. Remove as much moisture as possible from the spinach or your salad will be soggy. Set aside to drain.

3. 3

   SIMPLE SYRUP: In a small saucepan combine 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of water over medium-high heat. Swirl the mixture occasionally until the sugar turns a golden amber color*. This should take about 3-4 minutes.

4. 4

   Add the almonds and stir to coat. Continue cooking until the almonds are fragrant and golden brown, about 1 minute. *Be careful not to burn the sugar/nut mixture or yourself! Transfer nuts to parchment paper, using a spatula to spread into a thin layer, and set aside to cool completely.

5. 5

   With a sharp knife, peel the orange, remove the bitter white pith and cut the fruit into segments. (Use a small bowl to catch the orange juice that drips.) Reserve the segments in a separate bowl. Reserve the orange juice.

6. 6

   SALAD DRESSING: Combine 1/4 cup of the reserved fresh orange juice, remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, the Champagne or white vinegar, olive oil, fresh orange zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and the cayenne in a mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Transfer the dressing to a non-reactive container with a lid and refrigerate until ready to eat.

7. 7

   Put the fresh spinach in a large serving bowl, then top with the orange segments, celery, and red onions. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

8. 8

   When ready to serve, break the caramelized almonds (at this point the almonds have turned to "brittle") into bite-size pieces and scatter over the top of the salad. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Toss to coat evenly and serve immediately.