Thursday, April 11, 2013

Steak Salad with Spinach, Blueberries, & Toasted Pecans plus a Review of Wine Glasses from Wine Enthusiast



Combine steak, blueberries, feta cheese and toasted pecans in this simple salad and you have a healthy and satisfying supper.

There’s lots of room for substitutions in this recipe. For instance I used toasted pecans, but the original recipe called for walnuts. I think blue cheese or gorgonzola would be fabulous in place of the mild feta. Blue cheese would look pretty using raspberries for the blueberries. Strawberries and spinach always pair well, or you could use peppery arugula or baby greens for the spinach. If you’re not a meat lover, grilled chicken would be fine in place of the steak.



For a reason that I cannot explain, the only place other than on line that I can find raspberry vinegar is in Italian markets. Maybe someone who knows more about Italian food than we do could explain it. (By the way, if you can't find raspberry vinegar, fig vinegar is excellent in this recipe.)  To make a raspberry vinaigrette, combine 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar with 2 tablespoons olive oil, a bit of honey and a dash of dry vermouth, a scant teaspoon crème fraiche or sour cream, and some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Raspberry vinaigrette is also excellent with a tossed salad of baby greens and broiled or grilled salmon.

This salad can easily be put together in under 30 minutes if you’re looking for something quick when you’re pressed for time. With only 392 calories and 11 grams of carbohydrates, this could almost be called a slim dinner, especially for those such as ourselves who are watching our carbs and calories.



Steak Salad with Spinach, Blueberries & Toasted Pecans 
Adapted from Eating Well – serves 4

1 cup fresh blueberries, divided
½ cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts
3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar or other fruity vinegar such as fig vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallot
1 teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons walnut oil, or hazelnut oil
1 pound of steak, I used a NY strip
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
8 cups fresh baby spinach
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Preheat grill to medium. In a food processor, pulse ¼ cup blueberries, ¼ cup nuts, vinegar, shallot, sugar and a pinch of kosher salt to form a chunky paste. With the motor running, add the oil until incorporated. Transfer the dressing to a large bowl and set aside.

Sprinkle steak with salt and pepper. Grill the steak about 5 minutes per side for medium-rare, 6 minutes per side for medium. Let rest on a plate for 5 minutes before slicing.

Add spinach to the bowl with the dressing and toss to coat. Taste for seasonings and add more salt and pepper if desired. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Thinly slice the steak crosswise. Top the spinach with the steak, feta cheese and remaining blueberries and walnuts. Perfect with a glass of red wine.




Speaking of wine, several weeks ago Wine Enthusiast asked if I would like to try a set of their wine glasses for review. How could I turn down an offer to try wine glasses? Of course I couldn’t. Here are the red wine glasses they sent me – their Fusion Whirl Pinot Noir.



The first thing I was attracted to was their shape. They aren’t too tall and I found the bowl very stylish and at the same time it allowed the wine to be swirled without spilling. The stem is narrow and feels very comfortable and nice in your hand. I used them at a dinner party the other night and received compliments on the glasses from my guests. Two other good things I like are that they are break resistant and can go in the dishwasher. I can say with enthusiasm that I highly recommend them. Thank you Wine Enthusiast. You definitely have won me over as a new customer. So the next time you need new wine glasses, give Wine Enthusiast a try. You will not be disappointed.

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This will be shared with Foodie Friday at Rattlebridge Farms, Miz Helen’s Country Kitchen Full Plate Thursday, Foodie Friday at Simple Recipes, Foodtastic Friday at Not Your Ordinary Recipes, Seasonal Sunday at the Tablescaper, and On the Menu Monday at Stone Gable.

Have a great weekend everyone.


39 comments:

  1. A fabulous salad! Tasty and healthy.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. What a gorgeous salad. This sounds like such a good combination of flavors.

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  3. Beautiful salad Sam. I have a recipe very similar to this that calls for Blue Cheese and we love it. And just to let you know, I can readily find Raspberry Vinegar at both my Safeway and Whole Foods.

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  4. Yummy Sam! That sounds great. I love the idea of blue cheese with steak. Pretty wine glasses.

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  5. Sam, that dish sounds so interesting with the blueberries. I wouldn't have thought of that.

    And those are stylish glasses. Very neat. Thanks for the review and the recipe.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  6. Lovely - I've never used blueberries in a salad before - I don't know why because they look delicious here - thanks!

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  7. This looks so delicious! Now that spring is here and summer will follow, dinners will consist of lovely salads like this.
    I make my own raspberry vinegar - it's simple and lasts a long time.

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  8. You continue to reign as the Queen Of Salads and this one looks amazingly good as they usually do. I suppose you could use chicken but it wouldn't look nearly as good to me. The glasses look very nice - we try to go with the Walmart ones as most of ours get broken - maybe we need to use plastic exclusively :-).

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  9. Sam, this is a great salad! I love blueberries but have never thought about adding them to salad. Love the shape of the glasses!

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  10. What a delicious salad and I'm happy to have the recipe after drooling over the photo in your last post :)

    Glad to see you got to review of set of wine glasses from Wine Enthusiast too!

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  11. Your salad looks great Sam, I've been craving blueberries lately! Love your pretty new wine glasses and I can see how they'd make swirling the wine fun-enjoy:@)

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  12. I have been waiting patiently for this recipe since yesterday since I do have some delectable blue cheese in the fridge. Lucky you to try these wine glasses.

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  13. Steak salads rule the school! I thought it was a flat iron steak from the look of it, was surprised it was a strip because the lengths were so similar.

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  14. This is absolutely one of my most favorite summer meals, I use a marinated London broil for the beef. Red wine is also my beverage of choice with this meal! The glasses are beautiful, I can only hope they sent you at least 20!

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  15. A fantastic salad, Sam. The steak is cooked to perfection and baby spinach leaves are so fresh. I use raspberry vinegar to make dressing a lot for my salads.

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  16. Mmmmmm my mouth is watering. Have a great weekend Diane

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  17. Your post is proof that salads can be fabulous. Very nice!

    I like the wine glasses too.

    Velva

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  18. That looks fantastic! Thanks for the recipe, my favorite stuff together in an unexpected way! I love incorporating berries with meats.

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  19. What a delicious mix of ingredients! I would love to try this, yum!

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  20. I love the simplicity and deliciousness. Ripe for substitutions - it's a beautiful - dare I say it - spring meal.

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  21. wonderful picture and recipe. perfect for some homemade worcestershire sauce!

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  22. This looks really appealing and the wine glasses are gorgeous. Lucky you.

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  23. that looks just beautiful! I have never used feat and blueberries together, yet I like to use both because they look so pretty and my kids love the tastes. This steak salad I think everyone would like!!

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  24. The blueberries are definitely a nice touch. My husband could eat salad every day. I can't, unless there is protein in it like this. The raspberry vinaigrette sounds fabulous, Sam and I love those wine glasses.

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  25. Beautiful glasses to go with a beautiful salad. I think the touch of blueberries is genius... just a little off the beaten path but not strange. Thanks so much for sharing this salad with us Sam... How are you doing?

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  26. A scrumptious post, Sam. We love blueberries in chicken salad, so I will definitely try this recipe. Tyler/Bandwidth bought a small charcoal grill today, so it won't be long until we're cooking outdoors. Your photographs and descriptions of the wine glasses are outstanding. I love the shape, too. My mother used to make raspberry vinegar. If you want her recipe, let me know.

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  27. We used to make a steak salad with leftover steak....recipe long lost. What a great idea this is. Combining fruit and nuts with the steak, along with that lovely vinaigrette! Such a super presentation.

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  28. What a great idea to combine steak and blueberries. You've really inspired me over the last year to get more creative with fruit in salads, Sam. I hadn't done much previously, but love the color, texture and accents it gives a salad entree. Can't wait to try this!

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  29. Hi Sam,
    I just love the addition of the Blueberries to this lovely salad. This salad would be a perfect salad for a spring evening that is light and very flavorful.

    Thank you very much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great week!
    Come Back Soon,
    Miz Helen

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  30. My daughter is going to love this salad. She is trying to slim down by cutting down on her night meals. Salads are right up her alley. thank you,

    BTW that is a really nice twist on the standard pinot noir glass. Must take a look at their website.

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  31. Sam, you a genius when it comes to beautiful, creative salads. Just the right balance of savory and sweet. Your new wine glasses are lovely. I received a set as well and am thrilled with them. I'm looking forward to this salad for sure.

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  32. I have been wanting to create a great raspberry vinaigrette for years and you've just solved my mystery in locating a validated winner! Thanks Sam! This salad is gorgeous; I'd keep the beef and I bet blue cheese or gorgonzola would be divine too as you mentioned! I love all of your salads!

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  33. Wonderful salad and beautiful wine glasses Sam. I love the sound of your raspberry vinegar vinaigrette.

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  34. Red wine and a steak salad is my idea of heaven. I can't stop staring at your photos, Sam!

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  35. What a good looking salad. I have never tried raspberry vinaigrette and will try to find the vinegar to make it as it does sound delicious.

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  36. What a beautiful and delicious salad. Love the flavors & textures.

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  37. you make the best salads and love those glasses :-)

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  38. You make such delicious dishes. What a good looking salad. I love your beautiful photos. Great to have you blogging again.

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  39. We were at a dinner at a vineyard a few weeks ago and they had this same shaped wine glass for red wine. Another wonderful dish to try Sam!!

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