Went to a great Wine & Tapas restaurant Friday evening with 10 of my favorite ladies.  Up one side of our table and down the other were small plates of love.  Tuna Tartare, Kobe Beef Sliders, Pistachio Crusted Scallops, Eggplant Caviar, Lobster Mac n Cheese…oooo, let’s say that one again, Lobster Mac n Cheese.  Which reminds me of a picture I saw in the book Bite by Bite by Peter Callahan (which is on my Wish List).  Mac & Cheese Bites in Parmesan Crisp Cups.  Who could resist?!

We filled these Parmesan Crisp Cups with our favorite Mac & Cheese with Jalapeno Love Knots, how you fill them is up to you.  Just imagine the possibilities.  And oh…please do share :)

The post Mac & Cheese Bites with Jalapeno Love Knots {Tapas Style} appeared first on Lemony Thyme.

Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing is probably the number one dish I’m assigned for a group dinner.  It’s just so darn good.  I bring it willingly because I know we’ll be treated to amazing stuffed mushrooms, cheesy potato casserole, and marinated flat iron steak.  We all have our dish.

I think what makes this salad special are the extra touches of love ~ let me introduce you to Sugared Pecans and Parmesan crisps.

The other key component of a super Spinach Salad is the Warm Bacon Dressing.  Browned bacon with shallot alone will make your kitchen sing.  Add olive oil, vinegar, brown sugar, cayenne, salt & pepper and your kitchen begins to dance.  *Adjust ingredients according to taste.  That may seem lazy but that’s what we do…you know your own level of vinegar vs. brown sugar love.  You also know if you like a little kick.  Get happy.

Toss spinach with goat cheese, sugared pecans, bacon crumbles, and a little dressing (add more as desired…sinfully good).  Top with sugared pecans and Parmesan crisps.  Oh my…hug your neighbors!!

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Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing

Author Libby with Lemony Thyme

Ingredients

• Fresh spinach
• 1/2 lb. bacon browned and crumbled reserve drippings
• 3 Tbl. olive oil
• 1 large or 2 small shallots thinly sliced
• 2 Tbl. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. brown sugar
• dash cayenne
• Sea salt & fresh cracked pepper
• 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbles
• 1 cup sugared pecans
• 6-8 Parmesan crisps

Instructions

• Brown bacon and remove to drain, reserving bacon drippings in pan.
• Add olive oil and sliced shallot and saute until browned.
• Add vinegar, brown sugar, cayenne, salt & pepper and warm over medium heat.

Notes

Adjust dressing ingredients to taste.

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