Crunchy Spinach Salad - Barefeet within the Kitchen

Recent greens, nutty edamame, candy cranberries, loads of cheese, wonton crisps, and a handful of recent mushrooms tossed in a tangy candy honey mustard dressing add as much as this unforgettable Crunchy Spinach Salad. Impressed by considered one of my favourite restaurant salads, this salad by no means fails to remind me of highway journeys with household.

copycat Dion's salad with spinach, edamame, cranberries, mushrooms, provolone, and honey mustard dressing in white bowl on wooden table

As you already know, I grew up in New Mexico and I’ve liked Dion’s Pizza for so long as I can bear in mind. There’s no such factor as a visit again dwelling that doesn’t embrace a cease there for at the least one meal. Even my green chile ranch was impressed by our love for his or her dressing, since we couldn’t get it after shifting out of state. So, I’m thrilled to share one other Dion’s copycat salad at the moment.

Dion’s Crunchy Spinach Salad

I fell for the crunchy spinach salad the very first time I attempted it. I used to be visiting my sister Jenny in NM and he or she ordered this salad together with our pizza. I had all the time ordered their chef salad, so when this one confirmed up, I wasn’t certain what to consider it.

It’s exhausting to imagine that was nearly ten years in the past. I cannot imagine it took me till this summer season’s highway journey to Arizona to lastly attempt my hand at this recipe. However, I’m pleased with myself for remembering to place the elements on my buying checklist whereas I used to be nonetheless consuming it. How’s that for pondering forward?

copycat Dion's salad with spinach, edamame, cranberries, mushrooms, provolone, and wonton strips with honey mustard dressing in white bowl on wooden table

Components and Substitutions

The Salad Greens – I construct this salad off crisp, cool Romaine lettuce and child spinach.

Mushrooms – You’ll wish to use white button mushrooms so as to add a meaty, satisfying chunk.

Edamame – Edamame presents a buttery, nutty taste and a satisfying “pop”. You should purchase frozen edamame within the pod and shell it your self or purchase it already shelled. It’s as much as you right here.

Cranberries – Dried cranberries add tart, gentle sweetness.

Cheese – For a creamy, velvety notice, I add some provolone cheese.

Wonton Strips – You’ll wish to sprinkle some wonton strips on high, for added crunch.

Honey Mustard Dressing

Mayo – Mayonnaise provides the dressing its creamy, clean texture.

Mustard – For a pointy, tart kick, I take advantage of yellow and Dijon mustard.

Honey – Honey helps convey out sweetness, and maintains a clean, pourable consistency.

Lemon – To brighten the flavour and add some acidity, you’ll need some freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Salt – I all the time use kosher salt in my cooking, until particularly famous in any other case.

Notes on Gear

Chef’s Knife
Reducing Board
Mixing Bowl
Cheese Grater – about two years in the past, this previous 12 months, I purchased this rotary grater, and it’s a dream to work with. It chews by way of all of our cheeses, fruits, greens, and nuts with ease, saving me a ton of prep time.

The way to Make Crunchy Spinach Salad

Steaming the Edamame: I begin by steaming the edamame and letting it cool. Relying on whether or not or not I purchased it within the pod or already shelled, I’ll handle that now.

Slicing the Greens: I rinse and chop the spinach, lettuce, and mushrooms. I additionally slice and juice the lemon.

Shredding the Cheese: You’ll additionally wish to grate the provolone at this stage.

Mixing the Salad: Mix the romaine, spinach, mushrooms, edamame, provolone, and cranberries in a big mixing bowl. I normally toss with tongs to combine all the pieces.

Whisking the Dressing: Add the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl or glass measuring cup. Whisk till clean.

Dressing the Salad: When it’s time to serve, I drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss effectively to coat.

Topping: On the final, you’ll sprinkle these irresistible wonton strips on high, for additional crunchy awesomeness proper earlier than serving.

closeup of honey mustard dressing in pitcher on wooden table

Knowledgeable Tip

If you’re mixing all the pieces along with the dressing, be sure you’re tossing, not stirring. On this case, tossing is a lighter technique of blending elements that mixes all the pieces extra gently, placing much less strain on delicate meals. Some elements, just like the cheese and edamame, can crush simply, so taking the time to verify all the pieces’s blended rigorously helps protect the right stability of textures in every chunk.

Adjusting the Dressing – In case your dressing seems thinner than you’d like, you may add one other tablespoon of mayo as wanted. In case your dressing appears too thick, you may add a splash of lemon juice, as wanted.

Shelling the Edamame – You should purchase the edamame for this salad within the pod or already shelled, both manner it’s quite simple to make use of. Simply gently squeeze or pinch the tip of every pod to pop the little inexperienced beans proper out of the seam. Then toss the powerful outer shells.

Managing Moisture – In case you’re going to be storing this salad within the fridge for greater than an hour or two, I normally place a paper towel beneath and on high of the salad within the container. This helps take up extra moisture that’ll be launched within the fridge, which helps hold the salad from changing into soggy or wilted.

(And, simply to be clear, in the event you’re storing the salad upfront, please don’t costume it but! AND wait so as to add dressing and the wonton crisps till it’s time to serve, to maintain all the pieces crisp for longer.)

Make Forward & Storage

Make Forward: I wait to decorate the salad till it’s time to serve, however the salad and dressing will be made and saved individually the day earlier than.

The way to Retailer: I normally retailer the salad in an hermetic container (together with a paper towel to soak up moisture) within the fridge.

Serving Ideas

I’ll fortunately eat this salad with nearly any meal. Nevertheless, it actually shines with Grilled Tri Tip and Baked Potatoes for a Sunday dinner. And for a heartier Sunday dinner, attempt serving it with this Herb Rubbed Sirloin Pork Roast or Pork Schnitzel and Herb Mashed Potatoes.

Extra Aspect Salad Recipes

Regularly Requested Questions

What ought to I search for once I’m purchasing for spinach?

Recent spinach could have a wealthy inexperienced colour. Keep away from produce that’s grey or yellow or has different seen harm. Wilted leaves and bruised spots are a no-go.

How thinly ought to I slice the greens?

I normally chop the lettuce into small, bite-sized items. And I goal for about ¼” thickness when slicing the mushrooms.

Can I make this dressing forward of time?

Sure! This dressing will hold in an hermetic container or jar within the fridge for as much as every week.

Steam the edamame in line with package deal instructions and let it cool. Then gently squeeze or pinch the tip of every pod to pop the inexperienced beans proper out of the seam. Discard the outer shells.
Mix the spinach, romaine, mushrooms, edamame, provolone, and cranberries in a big bowl and toss to mix.
In a small bowl or glass measuring cup, mix the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk clean.
Drizzle the salad with the dressing and toss effectively to coat. High with crunchy wonton strips earlier than serving.

* You should purchase edamame both within the pod or already shelled. If you buy it within the pod, simply comply with the instructions above to shell it. If you buy it already shelled, skip that step and proceed with the recipe as written.