Description
A delightful and refreshing salad featuring strawberries and spinach, topped with a homemade poppy seed dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup raw pecans, toasted
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 10 ounces fresh baby spinach, cleaned and dried
- 1 quart strawberries, hulled and quartered
- ¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- ½1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Toast & Cool Nuts: Start by toasting your pecans in a dry pan over medium heat until they are golden and fragrant. You will know they are ready when they give off a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly.
- Prepare Salad Base: Grab a large bowl and toss in your fresh spinach and strawberries, ensuring the spinach is clean and dry to avoid a soggy salad. The vibrant colors should pop for an appealing visual display.
- Mix Poppy Seed Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil, poppy seeds, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until smooth. Adjust the thickness by adding a splash of water if needed.
- Combine Lettuce & Dressing: Drizzle the poppy seed dressing over the spinach and strawberries, ensuring that the greens glisten with dressing. Dress only what you plan to eat immediately to keep leftovers fresh.
- Top with Nuts: Sprinkle your toasted pecans over the top of the salad to add a satisfying crunch that complements the tender spinach and juicy strawberries. Avoid adding too many nuts to not overwhelm the other flavors.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve the salad on plates while it is fresh, showcasing the vibrant colors and aromas. To keep leftovers, store the undressed salad in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store leftovers undressed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Refrigerate any leftover dressing for up to 5 days.
- Expert Tips: Toast nuts for enhanced flavor and texture. If your salad seems overly sweet, adding a touch more balsamic vinegar can help create a nice contrast. Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for a few minutes to reduce its sharpness.
- Reheating Instructions: This salad is best served fresh. Do not reheat as it is a cold dish.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with grilled chicken for a protein boost. Serve alongside crusty bread to complement the salad. Adding cooked quinoa will make this a heartier meal.
- Recipe Variations: Mix in blueberries or raspberries for a berry medley. Swap spinach for kale for a different texture. Adding grilled shrimp or chicken will make for a complete meal.
- Ingredient Notes: When selecting strawberries, look for ones that are bright red and firm. For the pecans, you can substitute slivered almonds or chopped walnuts, toasting them for better flavor. Feta cheese can be replaced with goat cheese or gorgonzola for a different taste, crumbling it yourself for better creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 249
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: null
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: null
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 17mg