Spinach, White-Bean, and Red-Onion Salad

Contributed by Quick from Scratch Vegetable Main Dishes

ACTIVE:
TOTAL TIME:
SERVINGS: 4

FAST

A spinach salad with bonus bacon flavor: The bacon is cooked until crisp and removed, and then the onions and beans are cooked in the drippings. Some of this luscious mixture is tossed with the lettuce and the rest is piled on toasty croûes to go wi...

slideshow Terrific Green Salads

4 3/4-inch-thick slices country bread or sourdough bread
1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
2 red onions, sliced thin
3 tablespoons wine vinegar
4 cups drained and rinsed canned cannellini beans (two 19-ounce cans)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
4 pounds spinach, stems removed, leaves washed well
2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat the oven to 450°. Put the bread on a baking sheet and toast until lightly browned, turning once, about 5 minutes.
In a large frying pan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Add the onions to the bacon fat and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, the beans, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper. Mix gently and remove from the heat.
Put the spinach in a large glass or stainless-steel bowl. Add the remaining tablespoon of vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, the oil, and the bacon to the bowl and toss. Stir half of the bean mixture into the spinach and put the salad on plates. Top each slice of toasted bread with the remaining bean mixture and serve with the salad.

Suggested Pairing

The complex combination of flavors and textures in this salad is best accompanied by a simple, crisp, and fruity red wine for contrast. Beaujolais would be our first choice, but Valpolicella, Bardolino, or even a Provençal rosé will work as well.