Last week I posted a recipe for Pork Tenderloin with White Wine Dijon Sauce and Apples.
Well, let me tell you, the recipe is nothing without a side of Martha’s very own baby spinach with warm olive oil and walnuts.
Leafy green vegetables tends to get ignored around Thanksgiving. Even when served, they tend to get buried underneath goodness like butternut squash and cheddar cheese.
So, in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, if you know you’re planning to overindulge on carb-heavy side dishes like whole wheat dinner rolls and cornbread stuffing, pile on the veggies in the days preceding the holiday.
I could eat spinach at every meal: in omelets, in salads, in pasta sauce. If you’re not a spinach fan like I am, you can still find colorful, nutritious vegetable side dishes to eat before (or even after!) Turkey Day:
Kalyn’s Kitchen has Brussels Sprouts with Toasted Almonds & Parmesan
The Perfect Pantry has Morroccan Carrot Salad
To Kiss The Cook has Stuffed Acorn Squash
The Not So Skinny Kitchen has Baked Zucchini Sticks
Foodie Reflections has Oven Roasted Beet Chips
- 2 ounces walnuts (about ¾ cup)
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 6 ounces baby spinach, washed well (about 6 cups packed)
- 2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- Directions
- Combine walnuts and oil in a small saucepan over medium- low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until walnuts are toasted, about 15 minutes.
- Toss spinach with vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Top with walnuts, and drizzle with warm olive oil.
7 Comments
Ashley
November 27, 2009 at 11:26 amThis does look delicious! I’m allergic to walnuts, though – any other ideas for a nut that would be a good substitute? Although I’m like Natalie, I could just sautee it and be happy!
Kathy
November 26, 2009 at 5:37 pmThis is one of my favorites. I do use pecans instead though.
Antonietta
November 25, 2009 at 9:46 amooooh I want this for lunch today!
Happy Thanksgiving
so Spiffy
November 25, 2009 at 6:28 amThis sounds absolutely divine… Oh goodness. P.S. I had to move my blog and change my name because of some idiotic bullies from a catty Japan related clique… hope you’ll bookmark my new site.
Kalyn
November 24, 2009 at 10:14 pmLove this! I’m a big spinach fan.
Sues
November 24, 2009 at 9:20 pmSometimes the simplest things really are the best! I could eat spinach with every meal too… and feel good doing it 🙂
Natalie
November 24, 2009 at 3:21 pmah i also could eat spinach daily! lately i’ve just been sauteing a bit side of it to eat with whatever else i’m eating. this sounds delicious, can’t wait to try!