Warm Spinach Salad with Feta and Pistachios

Warm Spinach Salad with Feta and Pistachios offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures that will elevate your salad experience to new heights. This unique warm salad provides a refreshing alternative to traditional greens, using hardier curly-leaf spinach that stands up well to the heat. The dressing, infused with fruity extra-virgin olive oil, minced shallot, and a strip of lemon zest, brings bright citrus flavor to the dish. Fresh lemon juice and the residual heat gently steam the spinach until it is just wilted and warm. Crumbled feta, peppery radishes, and toasted pistachios complete this upgraded spinach salad. Savor the vibrant colors and delicious taste of this comforting and nutritious salad.

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ ounces feta cheese, crumbled (⅓ cup)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 (2-inch) strip lemon zest plus 1½ tablespoons juice
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 10 ounces curly-leaf spinach, stemmed and torn into bite-size pieces
• 6 radishes, trimmed and sliced thin
• 3 tablespoons chopped unsalted pistachios, toasted
• Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the crumbled feta on a plate and freeze it until slightly firm, about 15 minutes.
2. In a Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of fruity extra-virgin olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced shallot, lemon zest, and sugar, and cook until the shallot is softened (about 5 minutes). Off the heat, discard the lemon zest and stir in the lemon juice. Add the spinach, cover the pot, and let the spinach steam off the heat until it just begins to wilt (about 30 seconds).
3. Transfer the spinach mixture and any liquid left in the pot to a large bowl. Add the sliced radishes, toasted pistachios, and chilled feta, and toss gently to combine. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste, divide it among salad plates, and serve immediately.

VARIATIONS:

• Warm Spinach Salad with Apple, Blue Cheese, and Pecans: Use sweet apples such as Fuji, Jonagold, Pink Lady, Jonathan, Macoun, or Gala. Substitute orange zest and juice for lemon, chopped sweet apple for radishes, crumbled blue cheese for feta, and pecans for pistachios.
• Warm Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Almonds: This variation recommends using Ruby Red grapefruit in the salad. Substitute grapefruit zest and juice for lemon, thinly sliced strawberries for radishes, and almonds for pistachios.

TIPS

• Choosing the Right Spinach: Opt for curly-leaf spinach, as it holds up better to the heat and won’t become mushy when warmed. Avoid using flat-leaf or baby spinach, as they may not have the same robustness.
• Freezing the Feta: Slightly firm the feta by placing it in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using. This will make it easier to crumble and add a nice texture to the salad.
• Cooking the Spinach: Steam the spinach off the heat just until it begins to wilt. Overcooking the leaves may lead to clumping and a less enjoyable texture.
• Variations: The recipe offers two delicious variations for different flavor profiles. You can try the Warm Spinach Salad with Apple, Blue Cheese, and Pecans or the Warm Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Goat Cheese, and Almonds for a delightful twist on the original.

Enjoy this Warm Spinach Salad with Feta and Pistachios as a flavorful and nutritious addition to your meal. The warm and hearty spinach pairs perfectly with the tangy feta, crunchy pistachios, and peppery radishes, making this salad a satisfying and enjoyable dish for any occasion.