Description
A vibrant and delicious strawberry spinach salad featuring fresh baby spinach, juicy strawberries, crunchy candied nuts, and salty feta cheese, all tossed together and served with a zesty lemon poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side or light main course, this salad combines sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a delightful crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Candied Nuts
- 3/4 cup 84 g chopped walnuts or pecans
- 2 tbsp 24 g brown sugar
- 2 tsp 9 g unsalted butter
Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1/4 cup 60 mL light olive oil or grapeseed oil
- 1/2 tsp 4 g honey (optional)
- 1/2 tsp 4 g poppy seeds
- 1/2 tsp 4 g dijon mustard
- Zest of half lemon
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 tsp 4 g kosher salt
Salad
- 8 oz 240 g fresh baby spinach, washed
- 8 oz 240 g fresh strawberries, sliced
- 5 oz 130 g feta cheese, crumbled
- 3/4 cup candied pecans or nuts
Instructions
- Candied Nuts Preparation: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper and set aside. Melt the butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped nuts and brown sugar, stirring constantly with a silicone spatula to coat the nuts evenly. Continue cooking and stirring until the sugar begins to caramelize, about 4 minutes. Spread the candied nuts in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet to cool, allowing them to harden and separate.
- Make the Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the olive oil, optional honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, lemon zest, lemon juice, and kosher salt. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified. Allow it to rest at room temperature for 15 minutes so the flavors can meld.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, toss together the washed baby spinach, sliced strawberries, cooled candied nuts, and crumbled feta cheese until evenly distributed.
- Serve: Serve the salad with the lemon poppy seed dressing on the side and drizzle just before eating to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
Notes
- This salad is great for picky eaters due to its balanced sweetness, crunch, and creamy cheese flavor.
- The candied nuts add a delightful crunchy texture; you can use walnuts or pecans based on your preference.
- Prepare the dressing in advance and let it sit for 15 minutes to enhance the flavor.
- Do not dress the salad until just before serving to prevent the spinach from wilting.
- You can substitute feta with goat cheese for a milder flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 183 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 268 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 33 mg
