SuzySaid.com - National Edition

If you're like Suzy, you're always looking for a new salad to serve as the weather starts getting warmer.  Here's one we think you'll love.

SPINACH SALAD with CRANBERRY & GOAT CHEESE CHIK’N CUTLETS & SPICED WALNUTS

Orange-scented sweet & spicy walnuts add a delightful crunch to this main-meal salad for 2.

Prep Time- 20 minutes
Cook Time- about 30 minutes total
Makes 2 servings

Spiced Walnuts
1 cup coarsely chopped walnut halves
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. Chinese 5 spice powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 lightly beaten egg white
1 tsp. grated orange zest

1) Heat oven to 325°F. Line shallow baking pan with foil lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.  
2) In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, 5 spice powder, salt & pepper. In small bowl, whisk egg white and zest until foamy.  Add walnuts; toss to coat. Using a large fork or slotted spoon, transfer walnuts (allowing excess egg white to drip off) to sugar mixture. Toss to coat.
3) Arrange nuts in 1 layer in pan and bake, shaking pan occasionally, 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool nuts completely in pan on a rack.

Dressing (makes scant ½ cup)
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp. orange juice
1 tsp. agave nectar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp. smoked paprika
dash garlic powder
¼ cup light olive oil
salt & pepper to taste

Salad
4 cups pre-washed baby spinach leaves
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
½ cup sliced baby bella mushrooms
1 hard boiled egg, chopped
2 Quorn™ Cranberry & Goat Cheese Chik’n Cutlets, heated as per pkg. directions

1) Combine vinegar, orange juice, agave, mustard, smoked paprika & garlic powder in a small bowl.  Whisk in olive oil until well blended; season with salt & pepper.  
2) In a large bowl, place spinach leaves, onion and mushrooms.  Carefully toss in salad dressing mixture; stir in chopped egg.  Arrange on 2 serving dishes.  Sprinkle each with 2 tablespoons of the Spiced Walnuts (reserve remaining nuts for another time).
3) Serve each salad with 1 prepared Cranberry & Goat Cheese Chik’n Cutlet.

TIPS
If you don’t have agave nectar, use honey instead.
Leftover Spiced Walnuts can be kept at cool room temperature in an airtight container. They’re great for a snack or as an accompaniment for cocktails.