Last night as I watched my kids try to kill each other play, I thought of my mom. I was watching them, knowing that any second it was going to go from fun “rough housing” (that makes me feel epically old) to actual murder, and remembering my mom yelling at us saying, “One of you is going to get hurt!” and then when we were older “Just don’t kill each other!” and then when we were even older “Just don’t break my house!” The struggle of motherhood is sometimes a little too real. For the record, our evening did in fact end in tears, and once again it was proven that mothers know all and see all.
The Perfect Spinach Salad Recipe
Another time my mom knew all was in the making of this amazing spinach salad. This is a family favorite recipe that I grew up on. It was at all of our big family functions and became so synonymous with family holidays that after my mom passed away and I found this recipe in her cookbook, my sister in law was over joyed! She’d grown to love it too. My mom’s hand written recipe is below. You can tell it’s been well loved. I just love her hand writing.
How Do You Make Spinach Salad Taste Good?
Well I’m so happy you asked. If you aren’t a big fan of spinach, I beg you to give this spinach bacon salad a go. The other ingredients that you add in combine perfectly. Then you top it with the most amazing spinach salad dressing that pulls it all together. My family always requests this at holidays and birthdays! To make it taste perfect top it with these ingredients:
Hard boiled eggsWater ChestnutsBean Sprouts (trust me)BaconHomemade Croutons – if you don’t feel like making them, buy some, but these are super easy to make and last for weeks!Spinach Salad Dressing
Spinach Salad Dressing
The dressing for this salad is pretty crucial. It is all the right flavor combinations to make this the perfect salad – it is the best spinach salad dressing! It is a combination of extra virgin olive oil, ketchup, Worcheschire sauce, sugar, vinegar, and a small onion. Seriously, this salad would not be what it is without this dressing. As noted in the recipe below, grating an onion can be annoying. I would suggest dicing it, throwing it in a blender to cut it more fine, adding all the rest of the ingredients for the dressing, and then blending to combine.
Where Do you Find Water Chestnuts and Bean Sprouts?
At my grocery store they are with the Asian food. Drain both well before adding them to the salad. If the bean sprouts make you nervous, just add a little, not the whole jar. But I really love them in this. And the water chestnuts add the most perfect crunch.
Can I Make this Spinach Bacon Salad Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can. I would suggest leaving out the croutons and leaving off the salad dressing. Toss the croutons in right before serving. Toss in a little spinach salad dressing and leave the rest on the side.
Other Great Summer BBQ Recipes
I love big recipes that you can bring to a family gathering or a potluck. I really need to make a big guide for this, but here are a bunch I love:
CRAB PASTA SALAD Another of my mom’s recipes that makes a lot and is a crowd pleaser.SHRIMP PASTA SALAD My spin on the crab pasta salad with a few important changes.GREEK QUINOA SALAD A great option for a lighter recipe for a crowd.ITALIAN PINWHEELS These make a great party appetizer!THREE INGREDIENT PINK PARTY PUNCH A great drink for the adults!CHERRY LIMEADE A perfect drink for the kiddos!
