Crunchy Spinach Salad - Barefeet within the Kitchen

Recent greens, nutty edamame, candy cranberries, loads of cheese, wonton crisps, and a handful of contemporary mushrooms tossed in a tangy candy honey mustard dressing add as much as this unforgettable Crunchy Spinach Salad. Impressed by considered one of my favourite restaurant salads, this salad by no means fails to remind me of highway journeys with household.

As you already know, I grew up in New Mexico and I’ve cherished Dion’s Pizza for so long as I can keep in mind. There’s no such factor as a visit again residence that doesn’t embody a cease there for at the least one meal. Even my green chile ranch was impressed by our love for his or her dressing, since we couldn’t get it after shifting out of state. So, I’m thrilled to share one other Dion’s copycat salad at present.

Dion’s Crunchy Spinach Salad

I fell for the crunchy spinach salad the very first time I attempted it. I used to be visiting my sister Jenny in NM and he or she ordered this salad together with our pizza. I had at all times ordered their chef salad, so when this one confirmed up, I wasn’t certain what to consider it.

It’s onerous to imagine that was nearly ten years in the past. I can’t imagine it took me till this summer time’s highway journey to Arizona to lastly attempt my hand at this recipe. However, I’m happy with myself for remembering to place the components on my purchasing record whereas I used to be nonetheless consuming it. How’s that for considering forward?

copycat Dion's salad with spinach, edamame, cranberries, mushrooms, provolone, and wonton strips with honey mustard dressing in white bowl on wooden table

Elements and Substitutions

The Salad Greens – I construct this salad off crisp, cool Romaine lettuce and child spinach.

Mushrooms – You’ll wish to use white button mushrooms so as to add a meaty, satisfying chew.

Edamame – Edamame provides a buttery, nutty taste and a satisfying “pop”. You should purchase frozen edamame within the pod and shell it your self or purchase it already shelled. It’s as much as you right here.

Cranberries – Dried cranberries add tart, delicate sweetness.

Cheese – For a creamy, velvety word, I add some provolone cheese.

Wonton Strips – You’ll wish to sprinkle some wonton strips on high, for added crunch.

Honey Mustard Dressing

Mayo – Mayonnaise offers the dressing its creamy, clean texture.

Mustard – For a pointy, tart kick, I take advantage of yellow and Dijon mustard.

Honey – Honey helps deliver out sweetness, and maintains a clean, pourable consistency.

Lemon – To brighten the flavour and add some acidity, you’ll need some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Salt – I at all times use kosher salt in my cooking, until particularly famous in any other case.

Notes on Gear

Chef’s Knife
Slicing Board
Mixing Bowl
Cheese Grater – about two years in the past, this previous yr, I purchased this rotary grater, and it’s a dream to work with. It chews by way of all of our cheeses, fruits, greens, and nuts with ease, saving me a ton of prep time.

Tips on how to Make Crunchy Spinach Salad

Steaming the Edamame: I begin by steaming the edamame and letting it cool. Relying on whether or not or not I purchased it within the pod or already shelled, I’ll care for that now.

Slicing the Greens: I rinse and chop the spinach, lettuce, and mushrooms. I additionally slice and juice the lemon.

Shredding the Cheese: You’ll additionally wish to grate the provolone at this stage.

Mixing the Salad: Mix the romaine, spinach, mushrooms, edamame, provolone, and cranberries in a big mixing bowl. I often toss with tongs to combine every thing.

Whisking the Dressing: Add the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whisk till clean.

Dressing the Salad: When it’s time to serve, I drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss effectively to coat.

Topping: On the final, you’ll sprinkle these irresistible wonton strips on high, for further crunchy awesomeness proper earlier than serving.

closeup of honey mustard dressing in pitcher on wooden table

Professional Tip

While you’re mixing every thing along with the dressing, be sure you’re tossing, not stirring. On this case, tossing is a lighter technique of blending components that mixes every thing extra gently, placing much less stress on delicate meals. Some components, just like the cheese and edamame, can crush simply, so taking the time to ensure every thing’s blended rigorously helps protect the proper stability of textures in every chew.

Adjusting the Dressing – In case your dressing seems thinner than you’d like, you possibly can add one other tablespoon of mayo as wanted. In case your dressing seems too thick, you possibly can add a splash of lemon juice, as wanted.

Shelling the Edamame – You should purchase the edamame for this salad within the pod or already shelled, both method it’s quite simple to make use of. Simply gently squeeze or pinch the top of every pod to pop the little inexperienced beans proper out of the seam. Then toss the powerful outer shells.

Managing Moisture – In the event you’re going to be storing this salad within the fridge for greater than an hour or two, I often place a paper towel beneath and on high of the salad within the container. This helps take up extra moisture that’ll be launched within the fridge, which helps maintain the salad from turning into soggy or wilted.

(And, simply to be clear, in the event you’re storing the salad prematurely, please don’t costume it but! AND wait so as to add dressing and the wonton crisps till it’s time to serve, to maintain every thing crisp for longer.)

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: I wait to decorate the salad till it’s time to serve, however the salad and dressing might be made and saved individually the day earlier than.

Tips on how to Retailer: I often retailer the salad in an hermetic container (together with a paper towel to soak up moisture) within the fridge.

Serving Solutions

I’ll fortunately eat this salad with nearly any meal. Nevertheless, it actually shines with Grilled Tri Tip and Baked Potatoes for a Sunday dinner. And for a heartier Sunday dinner, attempt serving it with this Herb Rubbed Sirloin Pork Roast or Pork Schnitzel and Herb Mashed Potatoes.

Extra Facet Salad Recipes

Steadily Requested Questions

What ought to I search for once I’m purchasing for spinach?

Recent spinach could have a wealthy inexperienced shade. Keep away from produce that’s grey or yellow or has different seen injury. Wilted leaves and bruised spots are a no-go.

How thinly ought to I slice the greens?

I often chop the lettuce into small, bite-sized items. And I purpose for about ¼” thickness when slicing the mushrooms.

Can I make this dressing forward of time?

Sure! This dressing will maintain in an hermetic container or jar within the fridge for as much as every week.

Steam the edamame in keeping with bundle instructions and let it cool. Then gently squeeze or pinch the top of every pod to pop the inexperienced beans proper out of the seam. Discard the outer shells.
Mix the spinach, romaine, mushrooms, edamame, provolone, and cranberries in a big bowl and toss to mix.
In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk clean.
Drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss effectively to coat. High with crunchy wonton strips earlier than serving.

* You should purchase edamame both within the pod or already shelled. If you are going to buy it within the pod, simply comply with the instructions above to shell it. If you are going to buy it already shelled, skip that step and proceed with the recipe as written.