Baby Spinach, Apricot and Mirabelle salad

Laid my eyes for the first time ever on these gorgeous-looking Mirabelle Plums (aka Mirabelle Prunes) in the supermarket, and being the fruit-crazy person that i am...i couldn't not buy them! I popped one in my mouth as soon as i reached home...and was instantly in love with them! Normally i am not too fond of plums, but this was an exception. The tiny yellow fruit has a taste somewhere between a cherry and a plum...sweet and full of flavour.

A specialty of the french region of Lorraine, it is mostly used to make jams and pies, and also brandy. But since i didn't have the patience to make any of them and really liked its natural taste, I tossed it into a baby spinach and apricot salad. The result was simply amazing...I've got a new favorite salad! Baby spinach works so well in salads...add a fruit or two and the combination is perfect! Another excellent version is baby spinach and strawberry salad...really divine! Even pear goes very well with spinach.


For 2 servings:
60 gms fresh baby spinach
2-3 ripe apricots, pitted and cut into wedges
8 mirabelle plums, pitted and halved
10 cherry tomatoes
50 gms feta or goat cheese

Wash and dry the spinach leaves. Spread them on 2 plates, followed by the apricot wedges, tomatoes and plums. Top with the cheese.

Serve with a honey-mustard dressing:

2 tbsps olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp chopped garlic
1 tbsp finely chopped basil
a pinch of salt and pepper

Combine everything in a bowl, cover with cling-film, and keep aside for 15-20 mins to let the flavours mix.