Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Delight

$- 4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup slivered almonds (toasted if desired) For a lively salad, I love using fresh ingredients. Baby spinach adds a nice crunch and bright color. Strawberries bring sweetness and a pop of red. The red onion offers a sharp bite. Crumbled feta cheese gives a creamy texture. Slivered almonds add crunch and nutty flavor. - 1/4 cup olive oil - 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup - Salt and pepper to taste The dressing makes the salad shine. I mix olive oil with apple cider vinegar for a tangy base. Honey or agave syrup balances the flavors with sweetness. A pinch of salt and pepper enhances the taste. Combine these in a bowl, and you’ll have a perfect dressing. {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, grab a small mixing bowl. In this bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Make sure each ingredient blends well. This creates a nice balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Once mixed, set the dressing aside. Letting it sit allows the flavors to meld together. Now, let's move to the salad. Take a large salad bowl and add the fresh baby spinach. Then, add the sliced strawberries on top. Next, sprinkle in the thinly sliced red onion. Finally, crumble the feta cheese over the salad. These ingredients will bring a mix of colors and flavors to your dish. Next, it’s time to mix! Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss everything together until the spinach, strawberries, and feta are coated in the dressing. For added crunch, sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds and poppy seeds on top. Serve your salad right away for the best taste, or chill it for about 10 minutes if you prefer it cold. Enjoy your refreshing Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Salad! When picking strawberries, look for bright red ones. They should be firm, not soft. Check for green caps, which mean they are fresh. Seasonal strawberries taste the best in spring and summer. They are sweet and juicy at this time. Avoid berries with dark spots or bruises. These signs mean they might be overripe. You can prepare the dressing a day before. Just mix the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper. Store it in the fridge in a sealed jar. This saves you time when you want to make the salad. For fresh ingredients, wash and cut them ahead of time. Keep the strawberries and spinach in separate containers. This keeps them fresh and crisp. To boost the flavor, consider adding fresh herbs. Mint or basil pairs well with the strawberries. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth. If you like sweeter flavors, add more honey or agave syrup. Taste as you go to find the right balance. You can adjust the sweetness level to your liking. Pro Tips Freshness is Key: Use fresh, organic strawberries and spinach to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your salad. Customize Your Dressing: Feel free to adjust the sweetness of the dressing by adding more or less honey or agave syrup based on your taste preference. Add Protein: For a heartier salad, include grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein and a more filling meal. Make Ahead: You can prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just give it a good shake before using! {{image_2}} You can switch feta cheese with goat cheese or blue cheese. Both add a rich taste. If you're looking for a non-dairy option, try vegan feta. It gives a nice creaminess. For nuts, slivered almonds are great, but walnuts or pecans also work well. They add a different crunch and flavor. In summer, add fresh peaches or blueberries for a sweet twist. They pair well with spinach and strawberries. In fall, consider using apples or pears. They bring a lovely crunch and a hint of sweetness, perfect for autumn. You can change the dressing for a new flavor. Try a balsamic vinaigrette or a creamy ranch. These dressings bring different tastes that complement the salad well. For a vegan option, mix tahini with lemon juice and maple syrup. This dressing is both rich and tasty. To keep your salad fresh, store it in the fridge. Use an airtight container. This helps to keep the flavors intact. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing. However, the texture of spinach and strawberries can change after thawing. Freezing is best for the dressing only. You can store it in a bottle or jar. Enjoy your salad within three days for the best taste. After that, the spinach wilts, and the strawberries lose their crispness. Look for signs of spoilage. If the spinach turns brown or slimy, it’s time to toss it. Strawberries should also be bright red and firm. If they get mushy or moldy, they are no longer good. To make this salad vegan, replace the feta cheese with a plant-based cheese. You can also use a different sweetener like maple syrup instead of honey. This keeps the flavor bright and fresh. Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Thaw them first and drain any extra juice. They may be softer than fresh ones but still taste great in the salad. The salad can last about 1 to 2 days in the fridge. Store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh. If you add the dressing, eat it sooner for the best taste. You can prepare the salad but add the dressing just before serving. This keeps the spinach crisp and fresh. If you don’t have slivered almonds, try walnuts or pecans. They add a nice crunch and flavor. To make the dressing healthier, use less oil or substitute with yogurt. You can also reduce the amount of sweetener for a lighter option. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra protein. Both will make the salad more filling and tasty. This salad pairs well with grilled meats or sandwiches. It also works great as a side for a picnic or barbecue. In this blog post, we explored how to create a delicious salad using fresh ingredients like baby spinach and strawberries. We discussed the important steps for making a flavorful dressing and assembling your salad. I shared tips on choosing the best strawberries and how to enhance flavors. You can also customize the salad with various ingredient options. With these tips, you can make this salad your own. Enjoy the freshness and flavor of each bite. Your salad is bound to impress!$

Strawberry Spinach Poppy Seed Delight

A refreshing salad combining fresh spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and a poppy seed dressing.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced
0.25 cup slivered almonds (toasted if desired)
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
0.25 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey or agave syrup, salt, and pepper until well blended. Set aside.
In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach and sliced strawberries.
Add the thinly sliced red onion and crumbled feta cheese to the salad.
Drizzle the prepared poppy seed dressing over the salad mixture.
Gently toss the salad until all ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
Finally, sprinkle the toasted slivered almonds and poppy seeds on top for added crunch and flavor.
Serve immediately for the freshest taste or chill for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

Notes

Serve immediately for the freshest taste or chill for about 10 minutes before serving.

Keyword feta, poppy seeds, salad, spinach, strawberries