Kittencal'S Spinach Salad With Balsamic Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb fresh spinach (washed and dried)
4 large fresh white button mushrooms (thinly sliced)
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (or use feta cheese or Parmesan)
1 1/2 cups croutons (or 1/4 cup toasted sunflower seeds see Kittencal's Garlic Croutons)
black pepper
salt (optional)
3 hard-cooked hard-boiled eggs (peeled sliced into wedges)
DRESSING
1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
3 -4 teaspoons honey (or to taste)
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil, plus
2 tablespoons olive oil
black pepper

Preparation

For the dressing; in a bowl whisk together garlic, salt, Dijon, honey and balsamic vinegar; add in olive oil in a slow steady stream until emulsified.
Adjust honey amount adding in more if desired for a sweeter taste, then season with more salt if needed, and black pepper.
Chill for a minimum of 2 hours before using.
For salad; place the spinach leaves in a large glass bowl; top with sliced mushrooms, bacon, blue cheese or feta cheese, croutons and sliced red onion (if using).
Toss all ingredients together with salad forks.
Season with black pepper (and salt if desired).
Place the egg wedges all around inside edges of bowl.
Serve with prepared dressing on the side.