Wilted Spinach Salad with Coconut Bacon
“When I was a vegan and seemed to fraternize only with fellow plant eaters, one fact that got tossed around a lot was that Baco-Bits are vegan,” says Danny Seo in his book Naturally, Delicious – 100 Recipes for Healthy Eats that Make You Happy. “The reality is, everybody loves bacon, and we missed its salty, crunchy taste. This is my ode to bacon; who knew strips of coconut could be turned into a savory, protein-packed ‘fakin’ bacon’ treat?”
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 325°. Toss together the coconut, tamari, and paprika*, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes. Transfer to a cool baking sheet; the “bacon” bits will crisp as they cool.
2
Step 2
3
Make the dressing: Warm the oil* and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, carefully add the vinegar. Whisk in the maple syrup and mustard, and season with salt.
4
Step 3
5
Divide and arrange spinach, squash, and red onion between 2 plates.
6
Step 4
7
Drizzle dressing over spinach to wilt lightly, and sprinkle with coconut “bacon.”
8
Ingredients
FOR THE COCONUT “BACON”
1/4 cup large flaked coconut
1/2 teaspoon tamari
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
FOR THE DRESSING
3 tablespoons coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon white or black mustard seeds
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon grade B organic maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Sea salt, to taste
FOR THE SALAD
4 ounces spinach (not baby, it wilts too quickly), stemmed, washed, and spun dry
1/2 pound butternut squash, peeled, diced, and roasted
2 ounces red onion, sliced thinly
Directions
Step 1
1
Preheat oven to 325°. Toss together the coconut, tamari, and paprika*, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing every 5 minutes. Transfer to a cool baking sheet; the “bacon” bits will crisp as they cool.
2
Step 2
3
Make the dressing: Warm the oil* and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, carefully add the vinegar. Whisk in the maple syrup and mustard, and season with salt.
4
Step 3
5
Divide and arrange spinach, squash, and red onion between 2 plates.
6
Step 4
7
Drizzle dressing over spinach to wilt lightly, and sprinkle with coconut “bacon.”
8
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