Spinach, Parmesan & Crispy Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds and Bacon Shallot Dressing

A fresh, vibrant salad of crisp green beans and baby spinach, lifted with the crunch of toasted almonds and the sharpness of Parmesan. The warm bacon and shallot balsamic dressing ties it all together — simple, hearty, and full of flavour.

INGREDIENTS

     +    
Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette (yields 2 litres, ~25 portions @ 80g each)

20g Dijon mustard

200g smoked bacon slices, cut into julienne

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

100g shallots, finely chopped

50g soft brown sugar

200ml balsamic vinegar

100ml olive oil

100ml bacon fat (from cooking the bacon)

400ml vegetable oil (200ml for cooking, 200ml for vinaigrette)

10g thyme, chopped

2g black pepper, finely crushed

6g salt

     +    
Assembly

100g cooked green beans (blanched: 2–3 mins in boiling water at 20g salt per litre, then refreshed in iced water and dried well)

50g baby spinach

20g toasted almonds

15g Parmesan shavings

Crispy bacon lardons

80ml bacon balsamic vinaigrette

Method

     +    
Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette (yields 2 litres, ~25 portions @ 80g each)

Heat 200ml vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over high heat.

Add the julienned bacon and cook until golden and crispy.

Add shallots, thyme, half the pepper, and salt. Cook gently for 2–3 minutes until softened.

Drain on kitchen paper, reserving the bacon oil.

Place the bacon mixture in a bowl with Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, bacon fat, and remaining vegetable oil. Whisk to emulsify and season well.

     +    
Assembly

Toss the beans, spinach, and bacon lardons with the vinaigrette. Season lightly.

Stack the salad neatly on a plate, layering with Parmesan shavings, spinach, and toasted almonds.

Finish with extra toasted almonds and Parmesan on top.

Spinach, Parmesan & Crispy Bean Salad with Toasted Almonds and Bacon Shallot Dressing

A fresh, vibrant salad of crisp green beans and baby spinach, lifted with the crunch of toasted almonds and the sharpness of Parmesan. The warm bacon and shallot balsamic dressing ties it all together — simple, hearty, and full of flavour.

INGREDIENTS

   +  &nbsp
Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette (yields 2 litres, ~25 portions @ 80g each)

20g Dijon mustard

200g smoked bacon slices, cut into julienne

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

100g shallots, finely chopped

50g soft brown sugar

200ml balsamic vinegar

100ml olive oil

100ml bacon fat (from cooking the bacon)

400ml vegetable oil (200ml for cooking, 200ml for vinaigrette)

10g thyme, chopped

2g black pepper, finely crushed

6g salt

   +   
Assembly

100g cooked green beans (blanched: 2–3 mins in boiling water at 20g salt per litre, then refreshed in iced water and dried well)

50g baby spinach

20g toasted almonds

15g Parmesan shavings

Crispy bacon lardons

80ml bacon balsamic vinaigrette

Method

   +   
Bacon Balsamic Vinaigrette (yields 2 litres, ~25 portions @ 80g each)

Heat 200ml vegetable oil in a non-stick frying pan over high heat.

Add the julienned bacon and cook until golden and crispy.

Add shallots, thyme, half the pepper, and salt. Cook gently for 2–3 minutes until softened.

Drain on kitchen paper, reserving the bacon oil.

Place the bacon mixture in a bowl with Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, olive oil, bacon fat, and remaining vegetable oil. Whisk to emulsify and season well.

   +   
Assembly

Toss the beans, spinach, and bacon lardons with the vinaigrette. Season lightly.

Stack the salad neatly on a plate, layering with Parmesan shavings, spinach, and toasted almonds.

Finish with extra toasted almonds and Parmesan on top.

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