Okay, I admit it: spinach is one of my favorite foods. But only raw. I grew up in a house where canned and frozen spinach were served regularly. I was so disgusted by it. There's just something about the gloppiness of cooked spinach, not to mention the smell, that seriously grosses me out. It wasn't much later that I discovered how good raw spinach, in a salad, is (thanks Leanne! :^)

Now I eat spinach salad every time I notice it on the menu in restaurants, not to mention I make it at home. Here is a really simple recipe that I think is better than most restaurant salads (but not as good as Leanne's! ;^)

What you need for two big dinner-sized salads:

1 10 oz package of washed, trimmed Popeye-brand spinach leaves
or 2 bundles of fresh spinach, trimmed and washed thoroughly
1 bulb garlic (Yes a whole bulb. Show no fear.)
About 4-5 tablespoons olive oil (naturally)
About 2-3 tablespoons vinegar (I prefer rice vinegar, but any type will do)
Pine nuts (roughly half of one of those packets you can get at the grocery store is enough)

Put the garlic bulb in the microwave for one minute. (Yes.) Let cool, then peel, and chop. Put chopped garlic in a small microwave-safe bowl with olive oil. Microwave for about oh...forty-five seconds. Add vinegar, then toss dressing with spinach leaves in a large bowl. Top with pine nuts, either raw or toasted in a hot frying pan for several seconds. Good to the finich. :^9