WARM SPINACH SALAD WITH ROASTED PECAN AND BACON DRESSING WITH GOATS CHEESE

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound bacon, small diced
• 1 cup julienned red onion
• 1 cup roasted pecans
• 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 cup Goatís Cheese, room temperature
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• 1/4 cup sautÈed leeks
• 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2/3 cup bread crumbs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups fresh spinach, cleaned and stemmed
• Edible flowers
• Black pepper mill

Instructions

In a sauté pan, render the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon. In the bacon fat, sauté the onions for 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour into a mixing bowl, bacon fat and all. Whisk in the bacon, pecans, tablespoon of garlic and vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, sour cream, teaspoon of garlic and leeks together. Season with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 1 ounce cakes. Dredge the cakes in the flour. Dip the cakes in the egg wash, removing any excess. Dredge in the bread crumbs, coating each side completely. In a sauté pan, heat the olive oil. Pan-fry each cake for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and heated all the way through. Remove and drain on a paper-lined plate. Season with salt and pepper. Toss the spinach with the dressing. Arrange the cakes around the greens. Garnish with edible flowers and black pepper.

Yield: 4 servings

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