Spinach Salad w/Vinaigrette

I love salads.  Love them.  The problem I used to have was I would go out to eat and order a salad and think this is amazing and then get home and try to make one and it wouldn't be as good.  You know why?  One word!  DRESSING!  The dressings at restaurants are amazing!  My favorite?  Fresh vinaigrette.

Never fear my fellow bitches!  I am here to tell you, you CAN do it at home.  What's more?  It's EASY PEASY!

I made a spinach salad on Father's Day and it was amazing.  I didn't take pictures for you but I have some pictures here I found on Google images to help give you the idea!  *wink*

Here's what you'll need:

1 Bag Baby Spinach washed and dried
1 Large Granny Smith Apple Sliced thinly (I leave the skin on)
2 Slices of Bacon crumbled (turkey bacon works fine)
1/2 cup toasted pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
Handful of shaved Parmesan

Dressing Ingredients:
1 shallot minced finely
1 clove garlic minced finely
3-4 Tablespoons Red Wine vinegar
1 tsp. dijon or brown mustard
1-2 tsp. honey
salt n pepper to taste
1 tablespoon of fresh chopped thyme and tarragon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (or less, just need enough to emulsify the dressing)

I make the dressing first.  In a large bowl that you can toss the salad in mince a shallot.  Grate in a clove of garlic.  (I use a fine grater, but you can use a garlic press, or mince the garlic finely and rub salt and the flat edge of your knife to make the garlic soft and paste like.)  Add a pinch of salt and pepper.  Add 3-4 Tablespoons of red wine vinegar.  Let those ingredients sit for about 15 minutes.  The garlic and shallot will flavor the vinegar.  Add a teaspoon of dijon or brown mustard.  (Trust me, even if you don't like mustard it won't taste like mustard.  If you don't trust me leave it out.)  Next chop about a tablespoon of fresh thyme and tarragon and add to the bowl.  Add 2 teaspoons of honey.  Whisk everything together.  Drizzle in about 1/4 cup of olive oil while whisking the mixture.  This vinaigrette is AMAZING.

Add all the salad ingredients into the bowl on top of the dressing except the parmesan.  Toss the salad making sure to coat all the spinach with the dressing.  Add the cheese and serve.  

Enjoy!