Strawberry Spinach Delight

$- 4 cups fresh baby spinach - 2 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced Fresh baby spinach is the base of this salad. It adds a soft, green crunch. The strawberries bring in sweet, juicy bites. Together, they create a bright, fresh look and taste. - 1/2 cup walnuts, toasted - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled Toasted walnuts add a nice crunch and earthy flavor. Feta cheese gives a creamy, salty twist. These elements balance the sweetness of the strawberries. They also add depth to each bite. - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 teaspoon poppy seeds - Salt and pepper to taste The dressing brings everything together. Olive oil gives richness. Apple cider vinegar adds a tangy kick. Honey sweetens and balances the flavors. Poppy seeds add a fun texture and look. Salt and pepper enhance all the tastes. {{ingredient_image_1}} - First, grab a large bowl. Add 4 cups of fresh baby spinach. This is the heart of your salad. - Next, layer it with 2 cups of sliced strawberries. They bring a sweet burst of flavor. - Now, sprinkle in 1/2 cup of toasted walnuts. They add a nice crunch and healthy fats. - Crumble 1/4 cup of feta cheese on top. Its savory taste balances the sweetness of the berries. - Finally, add 1/4 cup of thinly sliced red onion. It gives a bit of bite to the mix. - In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of olive oil, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of honey. - Add 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds to the mix. These tiny seeds add a nice texture. - Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth. - Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad base in the large bowl. - Gently toss the salad to coat all the ingredients. Make sure everything is well mixed. - Taste your salad. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more salt or honey if you like. - Serve your salad right away to keep it fresh and crunchy. Enjoy the delightful flavors! You can make the salad taste even better. Start by adjusting the seasoning. After tossing, taste it. If it needs more flavor, add a pinch of salt. Sometimes, a little more honey can balance the taste. If the dressing feels too tangy, honey helps to sweeten it up. Serve this salad right away. Freshness matters for the best taste. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge for a day. However, the salad tastes best when fresh. To impress your guests, serve the salad in chilled bowls. This keeps it cool and crisp. You can also add garnishing options. Sprinkling more poppy seeds or a few whole strawberries adds a lovely touch. For a splash of color, fresh mint leaves can brighten the dish. Pro Tips Fresh Spinach is Key: Always use fresh baby spinach for the best texture and flavor in your salad. Toast Your Walnuts: Toasting walnuts enhances their flavor, making them richer and crunchier in the salad. Quality Olive Oil Matters: Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a more robust and fruity dressing. Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to modify the sweetness of the dressing by adding more honey or balancing it with additional vinegar. {{image_2}} You can easily add protein to your Strawberry Spinach Salad. Grilled chicken or shrimp makes the salad heartier. Both options pair well with strawberries and feta. For chicken, use breast meat for a lean choice. For shrimp, grill them until they turn pink. Add these proteins on top of your salad for a tasty twist. If you follow a special diet, there are great swaps. For a gluten-free salad, check your dressing ingredients. Most dressings are gluten-free, but always read labels. To make this salad vegan, skip the feta and honey. You can use avocado instead of cheese for a creamy texture. Maple syrup makes a great vegan sweetener. Seasonal swaps can keep this salad fresh and exciting. In spring, try adding fresh blueberries or raspberries. They add a nice pop of color and flavor. In fall, replace spinach with kale for a different taste. You can also use nuts like pecans or almonds instead of walnuts. These swaps can change the salad while keeping it delicious. To store leftover salad, place it in an airtight container. Remove excess air to keep the greens crisp. If you have extra dressing, store it separately. This keeps the salad fresh longer. Using a glass container can help you see what’s inside. This salad stays fresh for about 1 to 3 days in the fridge. The baby spinach may wilt after a day. The strawberries will lose their firmness, but they remain tasty. If you see any signs of spoilage, it’s best to toss the salad. You can use leftover spinach in smoothies or omelets. Strawberries work well in yogurt or on oatmeal. Walnuts can be added to baked goods or eaten as a snack. Feta cheese is great on pizzas or in sandwiches. Red onions can add flavor to many dishes, like tacos or soups. Yes, you can prep this salad ahead of time. Here are some tips: - Wash and dry the spinach and strawberries. Store them separately in the fridge. - Toast the walnuts and keep them in an airtight container. - Make the dressing a day in advance. Store it in the fridge until you need it. When you're ready to serve, just mix everything together. This keeps the salad fresh and crunchy. If you don’t have poppy seeds, you can use these alternatives: - Sesame seeds add a nice crunch. - Chia seeds offer a similar texture. - Sunflower seeds bring a new flavor. These options will still give you a tasty dressing without poppy seeds. Yes, this salad is great for meal prep. Here’s how to make it work: - Layer ingredients in a jar. Start with the dressing at the bottom. - Add the sturdy ingredients, like walnuts and feta, next. - Keep spinach and strawberries at the top to stay fresh. When you’re ready to eat, just shake and enjoy. This makes lunch quick and easy! This salad recipe combines fresh produce and nuts for great flavor and texture. You learned how to make a tasty poppyseed dressing and assemble the salad with easy steps. Remember to keep it fresh and serve it right away for the best taste. Feel free to play with ingredients based on your diet needs or seasonal finds. With these tips, your salad will impress everyone. Enjoy making your salad and sharing it with friends and family!$

Strawberry Spinach Delight

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

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

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

Instructions

In a large bowl, add the fresh baby spinach.
Top the spinach with the sliced strawberries, toasted walnuts, crumbled feta cheese, and red onion.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Drizzle the poppyseed dressing over the salad ingredients in the large bowl.
Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt or honey according to preference.
Serve immediately for maximum freshness.

Notes

Serve immediately for maximum freshness.

Keyword healthy, salad, spinach, strawberries