Preview: Spinach Salad w/ Goat Cheese and a Maple Walnut Vinaigrette

by Dawn T in Rouxbe Recipes

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Spinach, walnuts and goat cheese served with a warm maple Dijon and walnut vinaigrette.

  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Active Time: 20 mins

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Step 1: Making the Vinaigrette

Making the Vinaigrette

To start the vinigrette, first puree the shallot and garlic. Then add the Dijon and pulse briefly. Next, add the vinegar, maple syrup, grape seed oil, salt and pepper and blend to combine.

Note: You can substitute half of the grapeseed oil with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.

This vinaigrette will keep well in the refrigerator for several days.

  • 1 small shallot
  • 1 small garlic clove
  • 4 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 7 tbsp walnut vinegar
  • 4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup grapeseed oil*
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Step 2: Assembling the Salad

Assembling the Salad

To assemble the salad, first clean and dry the spinach. Clean the mushrooms and trim off the ends. Thinly slice. The mushrooms can either be added to the salad raw or they can sautéed first, if you prefer. Likewise, for the walnuts, they can either be toasted first or they can be added to the salad raw. Either way, just give them a rough chop.

Next, heat the vinaigrette over low heat. As the vinaigrette warms up, crumble the goat cheese over the salad. Once the vinaigrette has just warmed through, pour it over the salad and gently toss. Lastly, taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.

This salad is at its best right after it has been tossed so be sure to serve it immediately.

  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 cup fresh goat cheese

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Manel A

A Gourmet way to eat spinachs

Spinachs are traditional on my daily cooking in spanish winter. My father grow them in an echological way.
This recipe has been an interesting new way to present them. Although my sons found the flavour it a bit hard, the truth is that it was worth it. I changed grape seed oil with virgin oil and some fresh white winter grapes.
Tha plate was grate. The tast has to be educated.
Thanks!

Sheila P

Delicious and easy

Where would I look for walnut vinegar. I looked in the vinegar section of Safeway and could not find. Do I need to go to a specialty store. I will be making this recipe over and over. S

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Where to Find Walnut Vinegar

A specialty store is usually your best bet, but many stores are carrying more exotic vinegars these days.
Best bet is to phone around before you go out, to see if any stores carry what you are looking for.
Italian delis, small cheese shops and local healthy food type stores tend to carry things like this.
And of course there is always the online world where all of this stuff is available...though you are probably like me, when I want it...I want it now.

Jorge A

Goat Cheese

My wife does not like goat cheese. What other type of cheese would you recommend?

Jorge

Dawn T
Rouxbe Staff

Re: Goat Cheese

I would say experiment, start with some of the cheeses that your wife does like. Maybe try something soft and creamy, that is similar in texture to the goat cheese, but it doesn't have to be. Cheers!

Nyta E

Spinach salad w/goat cheese/maple walnut vine

Am having special dinner party next week and decided to try the salad ahead of time. It took research to find the walnut vinegar, but was well worth the cost and time. The wonderful underlining taste of the vinegar and maple syrup was exceptional. I was going to use olive oil, but found grape seed oil in the market. Also pricey, but worth it. I am afraid olive oil would be to heavy. I also was afraid of using raw mushrooms, but again was surprised how much they added to the salad. The goat cheese melted into the salad and gave it a creamy taste. So glad I tried it before hand. I will make this salad over and over again.

Mikell B

Walnut vinegar?

Couldn't find walnut vinegar, so we used apple cider vinegar instead. That dressing was off the hook!

Karyn P

TY Mike!

I couldn't find the walnut vinegar either. Will try the apple cider
vinegar instead. Thanks for posting that!

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