Description
Refreshing summer flavors dance in this strawberry spinach salad, blending sweet berries with crisp greens and tangy goat cheese. Light poppy seed dressing and crunchy candied pecans elevate this simple yet elegant dish for a perfect lunch or side that energizes you.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) baby spinach, fresh
- 1 pound (454 grams) strawberries, fresh, hulled and sliced
- ½ cup (60 grams) almonds, toasted, sliced
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil, extra-virgin
- ½ cup (120 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup (60 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup (40 grams) red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
Instructions
- Emulsify Dressing: Whisk balsamic vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Gradually stream olive oil while whisking to create a smooth, unified dressing. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, blending flavors thoroughly.
- Layer Salad Components: Arrange baby spinach as a vibrant base in a large serving bowl. Artfully distribute sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and thinly sliced red onion across the greens. Drizzle prepared dressing generously, gently tossing to ensure each ingredient is delicately coated.
- Cheese Finale: Crumble feta cheese over the salad, allowing it to cascade naturally. Perform a gentle, minimal toss to integrate the cheese without fragmenting its texture, preserving the salad’s visual appeal and structural integrity.
- Presentation: Transfer to serving plates immediately, capturing the salad’s peak freshness and crisp ingredients. Serve at room temperature to maximize flavor profile and textural contrasts.
Notes
- Drizzle dressing gradually to prevent soggy spinach, ensuring each leaf gets a light, even coating without drowning the salad.
- Slice strawberries just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and prevent oxidation, keeping the salad visually appealing.
- Lightly toast almonds in a dry skillet on medium heat, watching closely to avoid burning, which enhances their nutty flavor and crunch.
- Swap feta with vegan cheese alternatives or omit for dairy-free version, or replace almonds with seeds for nut-free adaptation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg