Recipe: Warm Spinach and Pear Salad with Bacon Dressing

WARM SPINACH AND PEAR SALAD WITH BACON DRESSING

"This is EXCELLENT!!! Use apple, peaches, papaya or even melon in place of the pears." - Ray

1 (10 oz) bag fresh spinach, rinsed, dried and torn into bite-sized pieces
4 slices bacon
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon spicy brown mustard
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pear (or apple), cored and thinly sliced

Place spinach in a large bowl; set aside.

Cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp. Remove to paper toweling to drain.

Discard all but 3 tablespoons drippings in the skillet. Add oil to drippings in skillet and heat. Add onion; cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper. Bring to boiling. Remove from heat.

Add pear (or apple) to spinach. Pour hot dressing over spinach and pear (apple); toss well to coat. Crumble bacon and sprinkle over salad. SERVE IMMEDIATELY!!!

From: RAY, Cleveland, OH - 05-11-2000