Spinach Salad My Way...

[MustLose80]

Ok, spinach has been on my mind a lot lately, because I bought a boat load of it and a lot of us on here started talking about it. Therefore, it was inevitable that I would get around to making my absolute favorite (for me it is to die for) spinach salad. I just need one substitute here....maybe you guys could help:

I use a large shallow wooden mixing trough-type bowl thingy for this. (My daughter brought it back from Hawaii for me from her honeymoon. Before that I used a large clay baking dish). I use shallow because of the layering.

I crisp (fry until golden) 16-24 oz. of sliced crimini mushrooms in butter. (I use the 24 oz because I love crispy mushrooms)
I like to bake my bacon and I use a good pound of thicker sliced, not the super thick, though. Crumble large.
Cut in half and thin slice one very large red onion.
2 cups small cut cherry/grape/or heirloom tomato (optional)
1 cup whole caramelized garlic cloves (brown, soft and sweet)

Here is where I need a substitute: 1 cup Red French Dressing (I think maybe tomato sauce with almond oil, stevia, celery seed and basil...maybe????)
And add to that 12 oz. of crumbled bleu or gorganzola (I like gorganzola).

I dump a whole bag of washed organic fresh baby spinach leaves into the bowl. Then, I layer in this order: mushrooms, onions, bacon, tomato, dressing in patchy spoonfulls. Yummmmmm

[MustLose80]

Oh i forgot.......I also use avocado when they are best in season!

[ValidRouge]

Here's a recipe for Russian Dressing. Not french, but maybe close enough??

http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/russian_dressing.html

[MustLose80]

Hi VR!
Is "Better Heinz" a low carb ketchup? Like the 1 Carb Ketchup stuff? I think that stuff tastes better than sugar ketchup. I will have to compare ingredients with tomato sauce and 1 carb ketchup. I will definately try this recipe. Thank You!

[ValidRouge]

You could use the 1 carb ketchup--it's really good, but if you click on the link that's "Better Heinz" it gives a recipe for making homemade sugar free ketchup.
http://www.genaw.com/lowcarb/better_heinz_ketchup.html

[MustLose80]

Holy Guacamole!!! VR

How did I miss that link?? That is great. I am definately making this. Thank You!!!

[imgonnagethin]

Hey Pamela

I make a very similar salad, but what I do for the dressing is use some of the hot bacon fat and add to it a good red wine vinegar - that's all you need!

Kay

[MustLose80]

mmmmm reminds me of the red eye gravies we make in the south, which are great on ham, biscuits, potatoes and spinach salad. Hey....I could have that...after induction. I am going to be by the book this time, now that I know ALLLLLL of the rules....I think.