Spinach Salad with Dates and Crisp Fried Shallots
Inspired by techniques from Bon Appétit.
Raw spinach and chopped dates are tossed with a smooth blended dressing of dates, lime and oil, then piled high with shallots fried until deep golden and crisp. The dressing's sweetness and the crunchy fried shallots turn a simple bunch of spinach into a salad substantial enough to serve on its own.
Always check the labels of the products you use.
Method
- 1
Blend the date dressing. Put the 2 whole dates, lime zest, lime juice and the first 80 ml of oil in a blender and blend until smooth. Season with the fine salt and pepper.
- 2
Fry the shallots. Heat the remaining 80 ml oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown and crisp, 5-7 min. Lift onto kitchen paper to drain and season with the remaining fine salt while still hot.
- 3
Toss and serve. In a large bowl, toss the spinach and chopped dates with the dressing. Pile onto a platter and top with the crisp fried shallots.
Storage
Best assembled and served right away, as the dressed spinach wilts quickly. The date dressing keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the fried shallots keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a day; store everything separately and combine just before serving.
EU nutrition claims
- Source of fibre: 1.8 g fibre per 100 kcal (needs ≥ 1.5 g)
Per 100 g of the finished dish, worked out from the nutrition per serving and the lowest likely cooked weight (about 197 g a serving), so the true values are, if anything, lower. Thresholds from the Annex to EU Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. How we decide
Free sugars
29.1 g per serving
58.2 % of the 50 g daily maximum · 116.4 % of the ideal 25 g
Free sugars under 50 g a day, ideally about 25 g, based on WHO free-sugar guidance (not endorsed by WHO). The share shown is the share of one serving. WHO
Equipment
- blender
- medium saucepan
- kitchen paper
- slotted spoon
- fine grater
- chef's knife
- chopping board
- large mixing bowl
Nutrition per serving (estimated values)
| Per serving | Amount |
|---|---|
| Energy | 392 kcal |
| Protein | 5.1 g |
| Carbohydrate | 49.1 g |
| of which sugars | 35.2 g |
| of which free sugars | 29.1 g |
| Fat | 22.7 g |
| of which saturates | 3.5 g |
| Fibre | 7.2 g |
| Salt | 1.16 g |
Protein per 100 kcal
1.3 g High Protein needs ≥ 5 g (20% of energy)
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient values
