The Now I See

Source: http://alannasvanillabean.blogspot.com/2009/02/valentine-salad-warm-spinach-salad.html

Warm Spinach Salad

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb. baby spinach
6 Mandarin oranges, carefully divided into wedges
9 fl. oz. sweet vanilla bean vinaigrette (see recipe)
24 seedless red grapes
6 oz. walnuts
2 Red Delicious apples, quartered
15 poached figs, halved (see recipe)
12 oz. Stilton blue cheese, crumbled

Directions

Slice each apple quarter 4 times lengthwise, taking care to only slice 4/5 the way through each time. Grasp apple by uncut end and gently fan out slices. In a large mixing bowl, toss spinach with warm vanilla bean vinaigrette (see recipe). Prepare 6 plates for serving. Place spinach in center of each plate, top with a fanned apple quarter. Place 5 mandarin-orange wedges evenly at 5 points around the plate's rim. Do the same with 5 poached fig halves (see recipe) so that figs and oranges alternate around plate. Top spinach with grapes and walnuts. Garnish with Stilton cheese crumbles on top and around salad. Serve immediately.

Sweet Vanilla Bean Vinaigrette

Ingredients

1/2 lb. unsalted butter
2 1/2 oz. brown sugar
2 oz. honey
1 vanilla bean
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 1/2 oz. olive oil

Directions

In a saucepan melt butter over medium-low heat and stir in brown sugar and honey. Split vanilla bean in half and core (use the pulp only). Transfer butter mixture and vanilla pulp to a blender. Add vanilla extract and pulse for 2 minutes. Slowly add olive oil, pulsing to incorporate. Return to saucepan and keep over low heat until ready to use.

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