Perfect Spinach Salad

Yet another really clever Pioneer Woman creation, and it would be perfection were it not for the dressing, which is nothing special.  I recommend using the dressing in the Chicken and Strawberry Salad.  It's laborious, but cut off the stems of the baby spinach.  That whole process for hard-boiling the eggs is a bit much - I say just boil them!  

3-4 servings

7 calculated points

Ingredients

• 3 whole eggs
• Ice
• 7 slices thick-cut peppered bacon
• 1 small whole red onion
• 1 package white button mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 dash salt
• 8 ounces baby spinach, washed, dried and stems removed

Directions

Place the eggs in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to a boil. Then turn off the heat and allow to sit in the water for 20 minutes. Drain off the water and add ice on top of the eggs.

Fry the bacon in a skillet until crispy/chewy. Remove to a paper towel. Drain the fat into a bowl and reserve. Give the skillet a wipe with kitchen paper.

Slice the red onion very thinly, and then add to the skillet. Cook slowly until the onions are caramelized and reduced. Remove to a plate and set aside.

Slice the mushrooms and add them to the same skillet with a little of the reserved bacon fat if needed. Cook slowly until caramelized and brown. Remove to a plate and set aside. Chop the bacon. Peel and slice the eggs.

Make the hot bacon dressing:

Add 3 tablespoons of the reserved bacon fat, vinegar, sugar, Dijon and salt to a small saucepan or skillet over medium-low heat. Whisk together and heat thoroughly until bubbly. Add the spinach to a large bowl. Arrange the onions, mushrooms and bacon on top. Pour the hot dressing over the top; toss to combine. Arrange the eggs over the top and serve.