Spinach, Egg, and Bacon Salad with Warm Dressing

 Not really sure why, but I really had a taste for this salad and did some googling to come up with this version.  It serves about 2 people.

Spinach, Egg, and Bacon Salad with Warm Dressing

4 strips bacon

1/4 c. chopped red onion or shallot

1 T. apple cider vinegar

2 t. honey

2 t. Dijon mustard

salt/pepper

4-6 c. spinach 

2 hard boiled eggs, chopped

Whisk together the apple cider vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Chop the bacon and fry it in a non-stick pan or cast iron.  Add the red onion or shallot toward the end to soften it.

Scoop out the bacon and shallots from the pan and take 1 or 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease and whisk it in with the dressing.

Discard the remaining grease or save it for something else.

Return the pan to the stove add the spinach, put the bacon and onion or shallot back in the pan and wilt down the spinach just a bit.

Put the spinach mix in a bowl add the chopped egg and toss with the dressing.

Tartar Sauce

 I've said it once, I'll keep sayin' it.  I love reinventing leftovers!  So, you know that recipe right before this for breading for fish?  With the leftovers, I made filet-o-fish sliders.  Take a slider bun, warm the fish with a slice of American cheese on top to melt, slop on this tarter sauce and you are good to go on a homemade version of a fast food favorite.

Feel free to adjust the amounts to make a smaller batch (I did).

Tartar Sauce

1 c. mayo

1 c. finely diced dill pickle

1 T. dill

1 t. lemon juice

1 t. sugar

1/4 t. ground pepper

optional 2 T. finely diced onion (I didn't use it, and it was fine!)

Combine all and slop on a bun.

Breading for Baked Fish

 I found this recipe in a magazine for mahi-mahi in the air fryer, which I don't have, but it works just fine in the oven!  I modified the amounts a bit and used it for cod.  Any white fish would work.

We have quite a bit left, so I am planning on making filet-o-fish sandwiches with the leftovers for dinner tomorrow with a slice of american cheese and homemade tarter sauce.  I love a good reinvention of leftovers!

Breading for Baked Fish

1 lb. or more fish filets

salt

1/4 c. flour

1 egg, beaten

3/4 c. panko crumbs

1 1/2 t. everything bagel seasoning

1/4 t. garlic salt

1/4 t. ground turmeric

1/4 t. pepper

Sprinkle the fish with salt.

Place the flour in a shallow dish and the beaten egg in another shallow dish.

Combine the panko, everything bagel seasoning, garlic salt, turmeric, and pepper in another shallow dish.

Coat each filet with flour, then dip in egg, then coat with the panko mix.

Place well coated filets on a sheet pan lined with parchment.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 12-15 minutes.  I turned the convection on the last few minutes to get it to toast up a bit.

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t = teaspoon

c = cup

Creamy Tortellini Soup

 What sounds good on a -11 degree day?  Soup.  Soup sounds good on a -11 degree day.  This one really hit the spot.  Update:  we've been eating the leftovers for lunch and are loving it!

Creamy Tortellini Soup

1 lb. ground sweet Italian Sausage, cooked.

1 can diced tomatoes

8 oz. cream cheese, diced

6 cups or so chicken broth

1 bag fresh spinach

1 20 oz or so package tortellini of your choice (I used frozen cheese)

Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning to your liking.

Throw everything in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.