Minoo served the Fettuccine with Mushroom Cream Cheese Alfredo Sauce with a side salad of Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad.

The Cranberry Almond Spinach Salad has a nice balance of sweet and sour plus chewiness from the dried cranberries and crunchiness of the toasted almonds.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-sized pieces or 1 box of pre-washed baby spinach
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons minced onion
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Source: this recipe is adapted from Jamie Oliver

Serves 8

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil.

In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries. Add the dressing to the salad just before serving. Toss well.