Jamie’s Cranberry Spinach Salad is a delightful and nutritious dish that perfectly blends the flavors and textures of fresh spinach, tangy cranberries, and crunchy nuts. It’s a recipe that’s both simple to prepare and elegantly sophisticated, making it suitable for everyday meals as well as special occasions.
Ingredients:
The main ingredient of this salad is fresh spinach, known for its vibrant green color and health benefits, including high levels of iron and vitamins. The spinach provides a tender and slightly earthy base for the salad. To this, dried cranberries are added, offering a burst of tangy sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the spinach. Toasted almonds or walnuts give a delightful crunch and nutty flavor, enhancing the overall texture of the dish.
Dressing:
A crucial component of Jamie’s Cranberry Spinach Salad is the homemade dressing. Typically, this dressing combines olive oil and vinegar (such as balsamic or apple cider vinegar) with a touch of sweetness from honey or maple syrup. Garlic, mustard, and a hint of salt and pepper are whisked in to balance the flavors. This dressing is light yet flavorful, complementing the salad without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
Preparation:
Preparing the salad is straightforward. Start by washing and drying the spinach leaves thoroughly. If the leaves are large, you might want to tear or chop them into more manageable pieces. The dried cranberries are then mixed with the spinach. For the nuts, toasting them lightly in a dry skillet or in the oven will enhance their flavor and add a wonderful aroma.
Assembly:
To assemble Jamie’s Cranberry Spinach Salad, place the prepared spinach in a large salad bowl and add the dried cranberries and toasted nuts. The homemade dressing should be drizzled over the salad just before serving to ensure the spinach remains fresh and doesn’t wilt. Toss the salad gently to evenly coat the leaves with the dressing.
Serving Suggestions:
This salad is best served immediately after it’s dressed. It can stand alone as a light lunch or be served as a side dish with a main course like grilled chicken, fish, or a vegetarian pasta dish. The combination of flavors and textures makes it a crowd-pleaser, and its colorful presentation adds to its appeal.
In summary, Jamie’s Cranberry Spinach Salad is a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements, brought together by a zesty homemade dressing. It’s a testament to how a few simple ingredients can be transformed into a dish that’s both delicious and visually appealing.
Step 1: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat and let cool.
Step 2: Make dressing: Whisk together oil, sugar, cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, minced onion, and paprika in a medium bowl.
Step 3: Combine spinach with toasted almonds and cranberries in a large serving bowl. Pour dressing over spinach mixture; toss well.
Feedback of Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipes
I made this for Thanksgiving, following the recipe as written. My family liked it so much, they served it for Christmas!
Jamie, this is crazy good and a big bonus to how easy it is!?! The only thing I wish I had (I purchased but forgot at home) was the addition of crumbled feta cheese. But even without, so many great flavors and textures. A great salad and paired wonderfully with our shrimp scampi tonight! Thank you!
Best salad! Perfect for holiday meals. People always take seconds - of a SALAD - and ask for the recipe.
We have made this for Christmas Eve dinner (and other celebrations) for 9+ years. It's always a hit! We augment it with add-ons of bacon bits and Bleu cheese crumbles which takes it from being scrumptious to divine!
I have made so many different salads over the years, always moving on to a new one for variety. I made this years ago. I was invited to my daughter's for Christmas Eve and when I asked what I might bring, she requested this salad. She remembered it after all these years. Must be good to have left such an impression. It's a nice blend of textures as well as flavors, with the sweet chewy dried cranberries and the crunchy almonds. The sesame seeds and poppy seeds give a nice touch to the dressing. Thanks for sharing.
A great addition to Thanksgiving dinner! Used some Feta cheese but I bet almost any cheese would be good.
I make this salad for every holiday. It is always a hit. I make it according to the recipe and everyone loves it.
I used a low carb version, unsweetened cranberries, no raisins, and skipped sugar altogether. Carbs are a part of the nutritional panel and that includes sugar if using. Added feta cheese for more flavor. I have diabetes and have to watch my carbs intake closely. This salad turned out very good without all the added carbs.
I love simple salads like this! I made a single serve salad, subbed a stevia blend for the sugar, and used sliced almonds instead of slivered. So delicious! But after tasting it, I added a little feta cheese which took it over the top!
All Nutrifacts of Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipes
TOP 5+ FAQ Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad Recipes
✅What are the main ingredients in Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad?
Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad is a delightful mix of fresh spinach leaves, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and sliced red onions. The salad is often garnished with crumbled goat cheese or feta, adding a creamy texture and rich flavor to the dish.
✅What dressing is recommended for Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad?
The salad pairs beautifully with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette, typically made from olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. This dressing complements the tartness of the cranberries and the earthy flavor of the spinach.
✅How can you modify Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad to make it vegan?
To make the salad vegan, simply omit the cheese or substitute it with a vegan cheese alternative. Additionally, ensure the dressing ingredients, particularly honey, are substituted with vegan-friendly options like maple syrup or agave nectar.
✅Can you make Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad ahead of time?
Yes, the salad can be prepared ahead of time. However, to maintain the freshness and prevent wilting, it's best to store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before serving. The spinach should be kept cool and dry until ready to use.
✅What are the health benefits of Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad?
This salad is a nutritional powerhouse. Spinach is rich in vitamins and iron, cranberries offer antioxidants, and almonds provide healthy fats and protein. The ingredients collectively support heart health, aid in digestion, and contribute to overall well-being.
✅How do you toast almonds for Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad?
Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until they become golden and fragrant. This enhances their flavor and adds a satisfying crunch to the salad. Be careful to avoid burning them by keeping a close watch as they toast.
✅What protein options pair well with Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad?
Grilled chicken, salmon, or tofu make excellent protein additions to this salad. They complement the flavors and textures while making the salad a more filling and balanced meal.
✅Is Jamie's Cranberry Spinach Salad suitable for a gluten-free diet?
Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free. However, always check the labels of any packaged ingredients like dried cranberries and nuts to ensure they haven't been processed in facilities that handle gluten-containing products.
