Use strawberries at the peak of flavor for the best-tasting salad.
Strawberry, spinach and walnut salad makes a refreshing summer lunch or dinner accompaniment. Plump, ripe strawberries and fresh, crisp lettuce impart the best taste. Roasted walnuts give the salad a bit of crunch and a salty bite. Make your own strawberry vinaigrette dressing in minutes to complement the sweet and tangy salad. Serve the salad alongside a rich meal to provide contrast.
Instructions
1. Place the pre-washed fresh baby spinach in a large salad bowl.
2. Rinse the strawberries with cool water and pat them dry with paper towels. Hull the berries and cut them into thin slices. Set 3/4 cups of the strawberries aside for the dressing and add the remaining berries to the bowl of spinach.
3. Create the vinaigrette dressing by pureeing the reserved strawberries, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and salt and ground black pepper to taste in a blender or food processor. Pour the vinaigrette over the spinach and strawberries and toss with salad tongs to thoroughly coat.
4. Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles and roasted walnuts over the top of the salad before serving.
Tags: vinaigrette dressing