We truly enjoy strawberry season, and every time I start cleaning another batch of berries the boys are at my elbow begging for some of the juicy red fruits. I have to watch Monkey Boy and Top Gun because they will sneak the berries off to a hidden corner and get the sticky juice all over the furniture and floor.
Like many fruits, strawberries work well in both savory and sweet dishes, and I think they taste great with spinach. Even my picky boys will eat spinach salad if I add some strawberries to it, and I sprinkle a slightly sweetened vinaigrette made with champagne vinegar on top for another splash of flavor. This is a salad that makes a delicious treat for a family meal or guests.
STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD WITH AVOCADO AND CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE
Serves 4 to 6.
Equipment
small bowl or cruet
salad bowl(s)
Ingredients
VINAIGRETTE
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar or white balsamic vinegar
6 ounces extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon honey
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
SALAD
6 ounces baby spinach, washed and patted dry
2 cups strawberries, quartered
1 avocado, thinly sliced
4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup rough chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
1. VINAIGRETTE In the small bowl, whisk together the champagne vinegar, olive oil, honey, and sea salt.
2. SALAD: In the salad bowl(s), arrange the ingredients in layers: baby spinach on the bottom, then strawberries, avocado slices, pecans, goat cheese, and pecans. Serve with the vinaigrette.
More Salad Recipes
More Salad Recipes with Fruit From Around the Blogs
Use Real Butter – Strawberry Hazelnut Salad
Rasa Malaysia – Fruit Salad with Baby Shrimps and Toasted Coconut
Steamy Kitchen – Asian Tropical Fruit Salad
Baking Bites – Mojito Fruit Salad
Rosa says
June 7, 2009 at 5:14 amVery original! This colorful salad looks delicious! Nice shot, too…
Cheers,
Rosa
Karina says
June 7, 2009 at 10:16 amWhat gorgeous, fresh colors. I love strawberries in anything. Happy June!
Brenda says
June 7, 2009 at 11:34 amWow this looks really yummy, headed out to the store now!
Kevin says
June 8, 2009 at 9:38 amThat is a nice looking spring salad!
Jen says
June 8, 2009 at 10:43 amI adore the enthusiasm your boys have for food. Gorgeous recipe!
Jens last blog post..sangria
Sarah Olson says
June 9, 2009 at 12:17 amThat is the most beautiful salad I’ve ever seen!
oneshotbeyond says
June 9, 2009 at 1:56 pmfabulous summer salad!
oneshotbeyonds last blog post..Tasty Tuesday: Grilled Side Dishes
Dragon says
June 17, 2009 at 9:13 pmThis is the perfect summer salad. Gorgeous!
.-= Dragon´s last blog ..Chocolate-Glazed Chocolate Tart =-.
Kim da Cook says
July 3, 2009 at 5:52 amThis is the best of all worlds, strawberries and avocado have to be 2 of my favorite things to eat, and to have them both in a salad must be heavenly. Will have to try it out in summer its just a little cold now to have salads.
Shelley Freese says
August 19, 2009 at 3:36 pmBeautiful salad! I am having Bunco for 12 ladies at my house tomorrow night. I was wondering…should I serve individual salads on the plate or should I mix the salad up? Any advice you can give would be great! Thanks!
Andrea says
August 19, 2009 at 3:42 pmHi Shelley. Your comment reminded me how much I miss my old Bunco group, they were such a fun bunch! Avocado is delicate, so I would either serve it on individual plates if using sliced avocado, or cut the avocado into small chunks for a mixed salad in a bowl. Because the avocado tends to brown quickly, you may want to wait and slice it up just before serving.
tasteofbeirut says
May 17, 2010 at 8:06 pmI love this salad! I find it so cheery and fresh and colorful and perfect!
Rebekah says
April 26, 2011 at 4:39 pmDelicious dressing– I actually cut the oil back to 2 oz because I like a nice tang to my vinaigrette. I also added a tablespoon of plain yogurt to make it creamy.