Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Spinach: Fresh and vibrant, spinach serves as the base of the salad, providing a nutritious and slightly earthy flavor.

Strawberries: Sliced strawberries add a sweet and juicy element to the salad, balancing the savory ingredients.

Feta cheese: Feta cheese brings a creamy and tangy contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries.

Almonds: Sliced almonds add a delightful crunch and a nutty flavor to the mix.

Red onion: Thinly sliced red onion provides a sharp and slightly spicy note, enhancing the overall flavor profile.

Balsamic vinaigrette: This dressing ties all the ingredients together with its rich, tangy, and slightly sweet taste.

When preparing the red onion, soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will help to mellow out their sharpness, making them more palatable and enhancing the overall balance of flavors in the strawberry spinach salad.

• fresh spinach - Substitute with kale: Kale provides a similar texture and nutritional profile, making it a great alternative to spinach.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with sliced raspberries: Raspberries offer a similar sweet-tart flavor and vibrant color, complementing the salad well.

• crumbled feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor, making it a suitable replacement for feta.

• sliced almonds - Substitute with pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor, and they are also a great source of nutrients.

• red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor compared to red onions, adding a subtle sweetness to the salad.

• balsamic vinaigrette - Substitute with honey mustard dressing: Honey mustard dressing offers a sweet and tangy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the salad.

• Ensure the spinach is thoroughly dried before storing. Excess moisture can cause the leaves to wilt faster.
• Store the salad components separately to maintain freshness. Keep the spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion in individual airtight containers.
• For the balsamic vinaigrette, use a small jar or a dressing container to keep it separate until ready to serve.
• If you need to prepare the salad in advance, combine the spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion just before serving to maintain the best texture and flavor.
• To freeze the strawberries, slice them and lay them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container.
• Avoid freezing the spinach and feta cheese as they do not retain their texture well after thawing.
• If you have leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume it within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
• When ready to enjoy, toss the salad components together and drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette just before serving.

• First, separate the spinach from the rest of the salad. Spinach tends to wilt when reheated, so it's best to add fresh spinach later.
• Place the remaining ingredients—strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion—in a microwave-safe dish.
• Microwave on medium power for 20-30 seconds. This will warm the ingredients without making them too hot or soggy.
• Alternatively, you can use a stovetop method. Heat a non-stick pan over low heat and add the salad ingredients (excluding spinach). Stir gently for about 1-2 minutes until warmed through.
• Once the ingredients are warmed, add fresh spinach to the bowl.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
• Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.

• Large bowl: Use this to combine the spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and red onion.

• Salad tongs: These are perfect for gently tossing the salad to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated with the balsamic vinaigrette.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the strawberries, feta cheese, almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette.

• Chef's knife: Ideal for slicing the strawberries and red onion thinly and evenly.

• Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for slicing the strawberries and red onion.

• Salad spinner: Useful for thoroughly washing and drying the fresh spinach to ensure the salad is crisp and not watery.

• Serving bowl: A nice presentation bowl to serve the salad immediately after tossing.

Pre-wash and dry spinach: Save time by pre-washing and drying the spinach ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

Slice strawberries in advance: Slice the strawberries and store them in the fridge in a sealed container to make assembly quicker.

Use pre-crumbled feta: Buy pre-crumbled feta cheese to avoid the extra step of crumbling it yourself.

Pre-slice red onions: Thinly slice the red onions and store them in a small container in the fridge.

Toast almonds ahead: Toast the almonds in advance and keep them in an airtight container to save time during assembly.