Strawberry Spinach Delight

$- 4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried - 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted - 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced When I make this salad, I always choose fresh spinach. It adds a bright green color and crispness. I wash and dry it well to keep it fresh. Strawberries are a must. I hull and slice them, letting their sweetness shine. Feta cheese brings a salty bite that balances the flavors. Toasted almonds add crunch and depth. I slice the red onion thinly for a mild, sharp taste. - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds - Salt and pepper to taste For the dressing, I use olive oil for richness. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy note, while honey sweetens the mix. Dijon mustard gives it a little kick. I sprinkle in poppy seeds, which add flavor and texture. Finally, I season with salt and pepper to taste. This dressing ties the salad together, making every bite delicious. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, I grab a large salad bowl. I add the fresh spinach first. Then, I toss in the sliced strawberries. The sweet strawberries mix well with the crisp spinach. Next, I sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top. This adds a creamy texture. I follow this with the toasted sliced almonds. They give a nice crunch to the salad. Lastly, I add the thinly sliced red onion. This adds a bit of zing to each bite. Now, I move on to the dressing. I take a small mixing bowl. In it, I pour 1/4 cup of olive oil. Then, I add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar. The vinegar adds a tangy flavor. Next, I add 2 tablespoons of honey for sweetness. I also include 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard for depth. After that, I sprinkle in 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds. These tiny seeds add a fun crunch. I whisk all these ingredients together. I keep whisking until the mixture is smooth. Finally, I taste it and add salt and pepper as needed. With the dressing ready, I pour it over the salad base. I gently toss everything together. I want to coat every piece evenly. This ensures each bite is full of flavor. For presentation, I serve it right away. I like to garnish with extra strawberries or feta on top. This makes the salad look extra lovely. It’s bright and colorful, perfect for any table. Choosing Fresh Ingredients To make the best Strawberry Spinach Salad, start with fresh spinach. Look for vibrant green leaves without any brown spots. For strawberries, pick ripe ones. They should be deep red and firm. The feta cheese should be creamy and crumbly. This will add nice flavor to each bite. Don’t forget sliced almonds! Toast them lightly for a warm touch. Toasting Almonds for Extra Flavor Toasting almonds is easy and makes a big difference. Simply heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced almonds in a single layer. Stir them often until they turn golden brown. This process usually takes about 5 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as they can burn quickly. The toasted almonds will add a lovely crunch and nutty taste. Making Ahead of Time You can prepare the poppyseed dressing ahead of time. Mix all the dressing ingredients in a jar. Seal it tightly and store in the fridge. This will save you time when you are ready to eat. Just give it a good shake before pouring over the salad. Involving Different Ingredients Feel free to have fun with the dressing! You can swap honey for maple syrup for a richer taste. Try adding a bit of lemon juice for extra zing. If you like a creamier dressing, mix in some Greek yogurt. Experiment and find what suits your taste best! Pro Tips Freshness Matters: Always choose the freshest spinach and strawberries for the best flavor and texture in your salad. Toast the Almonds: Toasting the sliced almonds enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to your salad. Dress It Right Before Serving: To prevent the spinach from wilting, add the poppyseed dressing just before serving the salad. Experiment with Additions: Feel free to add other ingredients like grilled chicken, avocado, or different nuts for a more substantial meal. {{image_2}} You can easily switch things up in your Strawberry Spinach Salad. For cheese, feta is great, but you can try goat cheese or even blue cheese. These options add unique flavors. If you want a nutty crunch, sliced almonds work well. However, walnuts or pecans can also give a nice twist. Feel free to adapt this salad for the seasons. In spring, try adding blueberries or raspberries for a pop of flavor. In the fall, slices of apples or pears can bring warmth to your dish. You can also change your dressing. Instead of poppyseed, a balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard could work nicely. Experiment and find what you love! To keep your salad fresh, store it in the fridge right away. Use an airtight container to prevent moisture loss. Place a paper towel inside to absorb excess water. This helps the spinach stay crisp. Avoid mixing the dressing until you're ready to eat. This keeps the salad from getting soggy. Best Practices for Ingredients - Use fresh spinach and strawberries for the best flavor. - Store strawberries in the original container, not washed. - Keep feta cheese in its brine or a sealed container. - Toasted almonds stay crunchy longer in a cool, dry place. - Slice red onion just before serving for a fresher taste. For leftover dressing, use a small jar or bottle with a tight lid. Glass containers work well and are easy to clean. Duration of Freshness Your poppyseed dressing stays good for about a week in the fridge. Always shake well before using again. If it thickens, add a splash of water to loosen it. To make this salad, follow these steps: - Combine 4 cups of fresh spinach and 2 cups of sliced strawberries in a large bowl. - Add 1/2 cup of crumbled feta cheese, 1/3 cup of toasted sliced almonds, and 1/4 of a thinly sliced red onion. - For the dressing, whisk together 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons of honey, 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of poppy seeds in a small bowl. - Season with salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently. - Serve right away. You can add more strawberries or feta on top for a nice look. Yes, you can prepare parts of this salad ahead of time. Keep the spinach and strawberries in separate containers. This helps keep them fresh. You can mix the cheese, nuts, and onions together, too. Store the dressing in a jar in the fridge. Just remember to add the dressing right before you serve. This keeps the salad crunchy and tasty. This salad pairs well with many dishes. You can serve it with grilled chicken for a full meal. It also goes great with fish or a hearty soup. If you want a lighter touch, serve it with whole grain bread or a nice baguette. This salad makes an excellent side dish for any summer barbecue or picnic, too! In this blog post, we explored how to create a delicious Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing. We discussed fresh ingredients, like spinach and strawberries, to build a tasty base. Next, we covered how to make a rich dressing using simple pantry staples. I shared tips for enhancing your salad and offered variations to keep it exciting. Remember, fresh ingredients and careful preparation make all the difference. Enjoy your salad adventures, and feel free to mix things up!$

Strawberry Spinach Delight

A refreshing salad featuring fresh spinach, strawberries, and a poppyseed dressing.

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups fresh spinach, washed and dried
2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced
0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
0.33 cup sliced almonds, toasted
0.25 whole red onion, thinly sliced
0.25 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh spinach and sliced strawberries.
Add the crumbled feta cheese, toasted sliced almonds, and red onion to the bowl.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, poppy seeds, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined.
Pour the poppyseed dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat evenly.
Serve immediately, garnishing with additional strawberries or feta if desired.

Notes

Serve immediately for the best flavor.

Keyword healthy, salad, spinach, strawberry