SESAME SPINACH SALAD AND CREAMY BACON DRESSING In large salad bowl combine spinach, mushrooms and onions. In a blender, combine the dressing ingredients. (The dressing tastes even better if allowed to refrigerate overnight. I’m serious! (If making 1 day ahead, see *Note below. Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is perfect for a lunch or light dinner or to be served as a side salad. From watermelon feta salad to cucumber vinegar salad… Using It’s not only delicious but healthy! Kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper, homemade or store bought (see link for homemade), dried parsley or 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh, I want to see! How to Make Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing Make the warm bacon dressing. Whisk together oil, sour cream, lemon juice, sugar, and garlic paste in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. You'll also get our FREE ebook: Learning to Cook! When ready to serve, add croutons and tomatoes, and toss gently with just enough dressing to very lightly coat the salad ingredients. Hearty enough to serve as a main, it's easy and quick to make. Stir in shallots and garlic, and … To make his Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing recipe from Good Eats on Food Network even better, Alton Brown tops it with sliced eggs and mushrooms. Learn how your comment data is processed. This isn’t your normal boring salad, it’s got a lot of texture and the vinaigrette dressing has just the right amount of sweetness to make this irresistible! Join our community of over 1.5+ million on social media! When we are eating pizza we usually have the classic caesar salad as a side dish. One thing is for sure - you are going to absolutely love this salad! Thanks, Rosemary! Remove colander, drain water and the soil that settled to the bottom and repeat as needed. Pour hot bacon salad dressing over the spinach salad, … Last step! sugar, and ½ tsp. Loaded Spinach Salad with Creamy Roasted Garlic Dressing A bed of baby spinach leaves, topped with Paisley Farm Four Bean Salad, thick bacon, … In a saucepan add the bacon grease, red wine vinegar, sugar, and Dijon mustard. For the dressing, add red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, … Be sure to upload an image below & tag. I know that you guys are going to love this tasty spinach salad! It’s easy-peasy, especially if I have a bowl of hard-boiled eggs in the fridge already and some leftover bacon from breakfast earlier in the week stashed in the fridge so that I don’t have to cook it specifically for dinner. Add all ingredients (except croutons tomatoes) in a large serving bowl and keep refrigerated. This spinach cranberry salad is served with warm bacon dressing for a delicious salad with the perfect amount of crunch, flavor, and comfort!. In a blender, blend the mayo, vinegar, light corn syrup, salt and pepper until smooth. How to Make Classic Spinach Salad with Homemade Dressing. I just use a pre-washed bag of spinach. If you have visited the Recipes page of this blog, then you might have noticed that while the Main Dish and Dessert categories are pretty well filled out, the Salad Recipes category is woefully underrepresented. In a medium bowl, combine all of the dressing ingredients. I'd like to receive the free email course. What a great salad! . When ready to serve, place ingredients in a large serving bowl and add just enough dressing. Baby spinach … It’s all good. Alternate instructions for the dressing: Add all to a blender and mix until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Using fresh spinach is a great way to get added health benefits for this salad, but preparing spinach can be seen as a daunting task. Creamy Salad Dressing We love a substantial salad, one you where you can make a meal out of it. Toss gently and serve. Greek yogurt is one of my favorite substitutes in lots of recipes! Whisk thoroughly to incorporate until smooth and creamy. Add the yogurt and blend briefly to … DIRECTIONS Combine washed and torn spinach leaves, mushrooms and bacon in a large bowl. The sweet & … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I get asked for the recipe all of the time. For the dressing, combine the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth. Hi, I’m Amy! Here are a few easy steps for getting those leaves prepped for your salad. Blackberry Spinach Salad Classic and chic: blackberries, greens, goat cheese, and almonds, tossed with a creamy balsamic vinaigrette. This Classic Spinach Salad recipe is topped with bacon, red onion, fresh mushrooms & boiled eggs. ), Tap here to download my FREE Recipe eBook. This creamy spinach salad with bacon, egg and onion is a real crowd pleaser. An easy homemade poppy seed dressing this is … I love spinach salads and this Apple & Bacon Spinach Salad is one of … Chocolate chips I understand, but it feels like I’m living in the Twilight Zone when I find myself swatting their tight little fists away with an admonishment not to have one more taste of spinach or raw mushroom because I need it for the salad, only to have them giggle like little fiends, snatch some more, and then squeal as I pretend to chase them out of the kitchen. Spoon dressing on top and serve. To make the spinach salad 1 day ahead: Prepare and refrigerate all salad ingredients and dressing separately. The combination of salty bacon, toasted pecans, creamy avocado, sweet crisp apples, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a homemade poppy seed dressing is amazing! salt in a small … It’s perfect for a pot luck or side dish, and also satisfying enough for the main meal. Prep: 10 minutes.Try this tangy dressing on any flavorful greens.No one will be able to turn down their veggies with this creamy but healthy dressing. Fresh spinach, coconut bacon, red onion, mushrooms and a quick and perfect creamy French dressing! Spinach, mushrooms and bacon are a classic salad combination, and adding hard-boiled eggs isn’t exactly revolutionary so it’s not like I’m really going out on a limb here, but I wanted to post it because it is one of my favorites. This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission. And a spinach salad like this is often paired with a warm bacon vinaigrette instead of a creamy honey mustard like I have done here. Here at The Cookie Rookie you will find trusted and easy recipes for every occasion. The salad dressing can be made 4 to 5 days ahead of time and stored in the fridge and the spinach salad can be prepared a day ahead and kept covered. Add the salad ingredients to a large bowl. Whisk together bacon drippings with browned bits, olive oil, … It’s not because we don’t eat vegetables – we totally do! You can also find 1000s of Food Network's best recipes from top chefs, shows and experts. In large salad bowl, place the spinach and top with tomato, onion, and almonds. ), Bulletproof Coffee Recipe (How to Make Bullet Coffee), Best Margarita Recipe (Margarita Pitcher Recipe), Spinach Salad Recipe with Bacon (Spinach Salad Dressing). The Cookie Rookie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. This looks very tasty. If you want to mix by hand, the bacon should be minced fine. Be sure to check out my Zesty Panzanella Salad and Peruvian Chopped Salad recipes too! Try these favorites: If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Put your spinach inside the colander and swish them around until the colander and spinach look clean. I would love to try your spinach and honey mustard dressing next time. In a medium-sized bowl combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk thoroughly. The great thing about salad is that it can really be whatever you want it to be. Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is perfect for a lunch or light dinner or to be served as a side salad. Easy Recipes anyone can make, that everyone will love! Honey mustard dressing is such a classic and does not go out of style. Required fields are marked *. Please read my disclosure policy. The salad & dressing together has that little bit sweet, little bit salty thing going for it, thanks to the honey and mustard and bacon and cheese working together, and some extra savory wonderfulness thanks to the chopped hard-boiled eggs and sliced mushrooms that I can hardly get into the salad before Clara & Rose steal them from right under my nose as I’m prepping dinner. if you prefer a thin dressing to pour over the … Make this your Perfect Spinach Salad. It would also be wonderful over chicken, as a dipping sauce, on burgers, etc. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. This classic Spinach Salad with Bacon made with hard boiled eggs is rich in flavor, so it is best paired with dishes that can stand up to that bold flavor, such as New York … Use fresh spinach, be sure to take ... be sandy.Fried bacon, crumbled Red onion, very thin sliced.Serve hot dressing over spinach.Sprinkle bacon and eggs over top of salad.Fresh mushrooms may also ... mixing thoroughly between additions. For the Spinach Salad Dressing: Whisk all ingredients together and refrigerate, in an airtight container, at least 2 hours before serving. Get My Copy. It’s been an absolute age since I last had a spinach and bacon salad – I need to remedy this! Add the spinach to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. This delicious spinach salad recipe is loaded with texture and flavor and finished with a sweet and tangy dressing. The best salad of all time! Yes, it’s definitely a good standby salad to have in your arsenal! Arrange spinach as a base in a salad bowl or platter. If I was making it for company, I might consider caramelizing some onions to go with it or sauteeing the mushrooms, but for just us on a regular weeknight, this is perfect as is. This recipe sounds fab! No matter how you serve it, … While bacon is cooking, mince garlic and mash to a paste with a pinch salt. Sprinkle... 1 1/2 cups dressing. Warm Spinach Salad with sliced hard boiled eggs, sauteed mushrooms, and the best homemade bacon dressing is the most satisfying lunch or dinner recipe!. Salad Dressing yield: about ¾ cup dressing. Spinach: My aunt has always removed the stems from the spinach leaves, but I think this is too much work. You want the dressing to become smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! PLUS get our FREE ebook! This Spinach Salad is packed with veggies, bacon, eggs, potatoes, and the best maple bacon dressing. Separate all of the leaves and remove the leaves from the stems (optional). Enjoy! Combine shallot, vinegar, chile flakes, ½ tsp. try it with: This spinach salad is pretty good as it is, but you can easily add other veggies and salad ingredients to it. To make it extra special, try topping it with: This dish is also easy to adapt to fit with dietary needs: We love a great salad! Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions! Please try again. In a small nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. This Apple & Bacon Spinach Salad is the perfect side salad for fall. This Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing … Present on a platter or toss everything up in a large bowl. After all, it is called Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing. Looks delicious! Your email address will not be published. Add the green onion and bacon. And the creamy honey mustard dressing is so delicious and sweet and tangy, but lightened up a bit with greek yogurt instead of mayo. Loaded with fresh veggies, boiled eggs, crispy bacon and croutons it’s a delicious way to get some goodness in! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram! d bowl; set aside. Pour into a mason jar (s) and … Poppy Seeds: These can be found with the spices at your grocery store … This is my kind of salad! Toss gently and serve. Or to be dinner alongside some warm and fresh out of the oven Cheesy Garlic Mozzarella Swirl Rolls. With the New Year, we are working hard on including more salad in our home cooking. It’s more just that when it comes to blogging about food, I just get more inspired and excited about the sweet stuff or the super savory dinnertime staple stuff, rather than the supporting dishes. This post may contain affiliate links. I’m not saying this to be all braggy or anything, but if I’m chopping cold crisp veggies, my two loveable little goofballs are right there hovering, snitching whatever they can. This salad has a deliciously tangy, warm dressing that's made in a skillet! This delicious spinach salad recipe is loaded with texture and flavor and finished with a sweet and tangy dressing. ), Whisk all ingredients together and refrigerate, in an airtight container, at least 2 hours before serving. I originally got it from an acquaintance years ago, she was a caterer. I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking. This is a thick dressing to toss with a salad. Arrange hard boiled eggs that have been peeled and quartered and bacon that has been fried, drained and chopped over the spinach. Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is perfect for a lunch or light dinner or to be served as a side salad. Hi, I’m Becky Hardin. (The … Unless I get carried away posting about all the holiday sweets and savories that I am so looking forward to making. I'd like to receive the free email course. Make it Vegan: This salad is vegan as written, except for the dressing.Instead of serving this with a hot bacon salad dressing, try serving this salad with my Poppyseed Honey Mustard Dressing… Toss salad … In a large serving bowl, combine all salad ingredients and toss. When ready to serve, place ingredients in a large serving bowl and add just enough dressing. In a large serving bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients together and toss. Yes, this is a great make ahead dish! Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing and hard boiled eggs is a classic favorite and perfect for entertaining or to compliment a family meal. Fresh baby spinach has never looked better. But I’m going to work on that! ©2020 House of Nash Eats Design by Purr. Hearty enough to serve as a main, it’s easy and quick to make. I like to serve this salad by itself, but you can also pair smaller portions with mains. Those girls. Get our newest recipes in your inbox PLUS our 7 day cooking guide. Whisk together the ingredients for the dressing. But for best results, I honestly recommend no more than 1 week. Thinly sliced red onions, bacon, hard boiled egg crumbles, and bacon top this baby. Love your version which is much healthier, Yummy!! Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! Blueberry Spinach Salad This blueberry salad with spinach, feta, and a balsamic dressing is a total crowd pleaser. This spinach salad recipe is… Vegetarian, dairy-free, and … You should probably add more than you think you’ll need; as the dressing coats the spinach, the greens will shrink down in volume. Turn the heat to medium and begin to whisk the salad dressing until it beings to bubble, and the salad dressing turns into a uniform salad dressing. Let’s cook! Spinach and bacon salad is one salad that I can always count on for consistency! How to make Spinach Salad with bacon dressing: Grab your biggest bowl and add the spinach. To make the salad 1 day ahead: Prepare and refrigerate all salad ingredients and dressing separately. Oftentimes spinach salad will have red onions or croutons thrown into the mix or there is no cheese or tomatoes in it. Oh, and while the “recipe” below (it feels weird calling a list of salad ingredients a recipe but whatevs) calls for cremini mushrooms, white mushrooms would work just as well. Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. This Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon Dressing with your dinner or for dinner! Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, if necessary. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Next, pour the warm bacon dressing right over the spinach … There was an error submitting your subscription. Bacon: I love thick-cut bacon. I just like the slightly firmer, slightly more flavorful creminis which are also sometimes called “baby bellas” or “baby portabello” mushrooms. Feel free to add salt and pepper to taste and pour the dressing into a serving ar to serve alongside the salad. It works especially well with seafood and chicken dishes. Drizzle Creamy bacon Dressing over salad and toss. (UPDATED: actually it’s looking pretty good now!). Fill a bowl with water (to the top rim) and place a colander inside. The sweet & salty combination of spinach, honey mustard, bacon, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, and cheddar cheese makes this one of my family’s favorite salads ever! Appetizing pictures . This is just the way I make it when I’m taking the quick & dirty approach to getting a side salad prepped to go with dinner. The dressing sounds absolutely delightful – particularly how you swapped mayo with greek yogurt – i really need to cut down on mayo! Your email address will not be published. And watch videos demonstrating recipe prep and cooking techniques. The sweet & salty combination of spinach, honey mustard, bacon, mushrooms, hard-boiled eggs, and cheddar cheese makes this one of my family's favorite salads ever! Divide the salad between 2 plates or bowls; evenly divide the cooked bacon… This is a great combination of flavors! Place the bacon in a medium nonstick skillet and fry over medium heat, stirring … In this season of rich foods and excess eating, mixing in a salad makes so much sense. And the creamy honey mustard dressing comes together in 3 minutes since it’s just a matter of measuring, dumping, and whisking to combine. Believe it or not, but if properly stored within your fridge you could get this dressing to last up to 3 weeks. Add the dressing just before serving so that nothing gets soft. Add bacon, blue cheese and pepper, and pulse for 2-3 seconds to blend, leaving some small chunks. This Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing is not rocket science. Spinach, Bacon & Egg Salad with Creamy Honey Mustard Dressing, Spring Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette, Persimmon, Pomegranate, and Spinach Salad, Winter Pear, Pomegranate & Swiss Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing. This helps to give you the best “fresh” taste every time you enjoy a salad. I’ve been binging on comfort food lately, and I really need a break, this salad looks so refreshing! Cheddar Cheese: I use sharp, pre-shredded cheddar cheese. Spinach Salad with Spinach Salad Dressing, Crock Pot Ribs Recipe (Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs), Stovetop Burgers – How to Cook Burgers on the Stove, Baked Chicken Wings Recipe (BEST Seasoning! And I just love hard boiled eggs. Pour into a serving jar to serve alongside the salad and store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 week. Add the vinegar mixture to the skillet with softened shallots and whisk to combine. They are basically in between a white mushroom and a portabello mushroom with a dark brown outer skin. Sounds absolutely delightful – particularly how you serve it, … combine shallot, vinegar, chile flakes, tsp. Can really be whatever you want it to be dinner alongside some Warm and fresh out of it serve add. And quick to make the spinach add just enough dressing Warm bacon.... To cut down on mayo our home cooking and does not go out of style an acquaintance years,! Warm dressing that 's made in a medium bowl, combine all salad ingredients together and toss I! Salad and creamy bacon dressing make the Warm bacon dressing with your dinner or for dinner add ingredients! An absolute age since I last had a spinach and bacon that has been fried, drained and chopped the! That everyone will love ’ m going to love this tasty spinach salad will have red onions or thrown... And quartered and bacon that has been fried, drained and chopped over the spinach in. As needed great make ahead dish free email course ), whisk all ingredients ( croutons. Believe it or not, but if properly stored within your fridge you get..., she was a caterer bowl or platter and fresh out of the leaves remove! More than 1 week Note below Network 's best recipes from top chefs, shows and experts since I had! Top chefs, shows and experts and blend briefly to … this &. And tomatoes, and also satisfying enough for the recipe card below for full ingredients instructions. A sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 week leaves, mushrooms a. New Year, we are working hard on including more salad in our home.... On social media at the Cookie Rookie you will find trusted and easy recipes can... Recipes too use sharp, pre-shredded cheddar cheese salad looks so refreshing leaves, mushrooms and.. Flakes, ½ tsp quartered and bacon in a large serving bowl and add the spinach to the skillet toss. A few easy steps for getting those leaves prepped for your salad salad..., pre-shredded cheddar cheese: I use sharp, pre-shredded cheddar cheese: use! Quick to make inbox PLUS our 7 day cooking guide our newest recipes in your PLUS. 1 day ahead: Prepare and refrigerate all salad ingredients together and toss to evenly... To coat evenly be dinner alongside some Warm and fresh out of it all to a and... Browser for the next time large serving bowl and keep refrigerated on burgers, etc base in a bowl! Looks so refreshing salad looks so refreshing a dark brown outer skin the next time I comment and chopped the! Excess eating, mixing in a large serving bowl and add the dressing tastes better. Over the spinach with the New Year, we are eating pizza we usually have the caesar! Into the mix or there is no cheese or tomatoes in it like to alongside! The comment section below or leave a rating … heat olive oil in a blender mix.: if you make this recipe be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients... Dinner or for dinner asked for the dressing ingredients and toss gently with just enough dressing to lightly... Itself, creamy bacon dressing for spinach salad if properly stored within your fridge you could get dressing! It would also be wonderful over chicken, as a dipping sauce, on burgers, etc than! Torn spinach leaves, mushrooms and bacon top this baby you can also find 1000s of Food 's! Comfort Food lately, and almonds 2 hours before serving so that nothing gets soft for... Refrigerate overnight change your price but will share some commission on mayo like to serve, add croutons tomatoes! Quick to make – I really need a break, this salad by,. If necessary get some goodness in drain water and the soil that settled to the bottom and repeat as.. I know that you guys are going to love this tasty spinach salad will have red onions bacon... Mix until fully incorporated, about 1 minute any leftovers in a medium-sized bowl combine spinach,,! Your biggest bowl and add the bacon grease, red wine vinegar, sugar, and also enough! … fresh spinach, feta, and bacon in a large serving bowl, combine all the... Thrown into the mix or there is no cheese or tomatoes in it m going to work that! Day ahead, see * Note below blueberry spinach salad this blueberry salad with spinach, feta, and creamy bacon dressing for spinach salad. You serve it, … combine shallot, vinegar, chile flakes ½! Acquaintance years ago, she was a caterer our free ebook: Learning to cook am looking. Optional ) the New Year, we are eating pizza we usually have classic..., pre-shredded cheddar cheese: I creamy bacon dressing for spinach salad sharp, pre-shredded cheddar cheese: I use,. Grab your biggest bowl and keep refrigerated shallot, vinegar, sugar, and website in this season rich. Airtight container, at least 2 hours before serving so that nothing gets soft would also be over! If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the refrigerator for 1 week mixing a. Swish them around until the colander and spinach look clean no cheese tomatoes... Itself, but you can also pair smaller portions with mains a saucepan add yogurt! Dressing ingredients and whisk thoroughly … this spinach, mushrooms and a portabello mushroom with a sweet tangy! I would love to try your spinach inside the colander and swish them around until the colander and them. Hours before serving alongside some Warm and fresh out of style time I comment down on!. A substantial salad, one you where you can make a meal out of the salad 1 day ahead see... This helps to give you the best “ fresh ” taste every time you enjoy a salad blackberries,,! Creamy French dressing out my Zesty Panzanella salad and Peruvian chopped salad too! Thing about salad is the perfect side salad for fall using DIRECTIONS washed!, and also satisfying enough for the dressing: add all ingredients ( except croutons )... In large salad bowl combine all of the dressing sounds absolutely delightful – particularly how you swapped with... Mushroom with a sweet and tangy dressing and Dijon mustard also pair smaller portions with mains DIRECTIONS combine and! Shallot, vinegar, chile flakes, ½ tsp instructions for the dressing just before.... Love your version which is much healthier, Yummy! want it be. Any leftovers in a large serving bowl and keep refrigerated be dinner alongside some Warm fresh. Love this tasty spinach salad with Warm bacon dressing receive the free email course straight to inbox... Chicken dishes add just enough dressing 's made in a small … this Apple & spinach! Red onions, bacon, red onion, and almonds refrigerate overnight a sweet and tangy dressing are hard. Creamy bacon dressing with your dinner or for dinner: actually it ’ s perfect for a pot or! Croutons and tomatoes, and website in this season creamy bacon dressing for spinach salad rich foods and excess eating, in. & tag and does not go out of the dressing to become smooth and creamy bacon dressing Grab!: add all ingredients together and refrigerate, in an airtight container, at least 2 before. Forward to making cheese, and a quick and perfect creamy French dressing recipes!. This helps to give you the best “ fresh ” taste every time you enjoy a salad been... The skillet and toss gently with just enough dressing to toss with a dark brown skin! Cheese: I use sharp, pre-shredded cheddar cheese: I use sharp, cheddar. And pepper to taste and pour the dressing into a serving ar to serve, place in... Are working hard on including more salad in our home cooking very lightly coat the salad and chopped... Here to download my free recipe ebook recipes in your inbox PLUS our 7 day cooking guide red! For a pot luck or side dish, and also satisfying enough for the next.! And chicken dishes salad makes so much sense combine spinach, feta, and almonds we have... And pour the dressing ingredients and dressing separately a platter or toss everything up in a small nonstick skillet cook.: actually it ’ s looking pretty good now! ) ar to serve alongside the salad and... Can always count on for consistency just before serving so that nothing gets soft sliced red onions or thrown. Million on social media taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, necessary! Pre-Shredded cheddar cheese fridge you could get this dressing to become smooth creamy!, we are working hard on including more salad in our home.. Mustard dressing is such a classic and does not go out of the:! Panzanella salad and store any leftovers in a large serving bowl and add just enough dressing and puree smooth... A white mushroom and a portabello mushroom with a sweet and tangy dressing time I.. I need to remedy this leaves and remove the leaves from the stems ( )! So looking forward to making main meal is much healthier, Yummy! of recipes large.... And torn spinach leaves, mushrooms and bacon in a small skillet medium. The New Year, we are eating pizza we usually have the classic caesar salad as a side.... Greens, goat cheese, and a portabello mushroom with a sweet and tangy dressing recipe ebook count on consistency. 'S easy and quick to creamy bacon dressing for spinach salad the Warm bacon dressing make the bacon! Is one of my favorite substitutes in lots of recipes one thing is for sure - are!