Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing

Ingredients

• 8 ounces spinach
• 2 large eggs
• 8 pieces thick-sliced bacon
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• black pepper, freshly ground
• 4 large white mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 3 ounces red onions, very thinly sliced (1 small)

Directions

1. 1

   Remove the stems from the spinach and wash, drain and pat dry thoroughly. Set aside.

2. 2

   Place the eggs into an electric kettle and cover with cold water by at least 1-inch. Turn the kettle on. Once the water comes to a boil, the kettle will turn itself off. Leave the eggs in the water for 15 minutes. Remove and peel off the shell. Slice each egg into 8 pieces and set aside.

3. 3

   While the eggs are cooking, place a metal rack in a shallow baking pan (I use cooling racks in a 9 x 12 jelly roll pan) and drape the bacon across the grid. Place in cold oven, turn oven to 400 degrees F, and bake for 15-20 minutes. When done, remove the bacon to a paper towel to drain, reserving 3 tablespoons of the rendered fat. Slice the bacon in 1/2" pieces and set aside.

4. 4

   Transfer the fat to a large stainless steel bowl set over low heat and whisk in the red wine vinegar, sugar and Dijon mustard. Season with a small pinch each of kosher salt and black pepper. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl on the burner.

5. 5

   Add the spinach, mushrooms and sliced onion and toss (tongs work beautifully), as the residual heat from the dressing and sides of the bowl transfers to the salad.

6. 6

   Divide the spinach between 4 plates or bowls and evenly divide the egg and bacon pieces among them. Season with pepper, as desired. Serve immediately.