Strawberry Spinach Salad With Berry Dressing Recipe

Spinach: Fresh, leafy greens that form the base of the salad.

Strawberries: Sweet and juicy berries that add a burst of flavor.

Red onion: Adds a sharp, tangy taste to the salad.

Feta cheese: Crumbled cheese that provides a creamy and salty contrast.

Walnuts: Chopped nuts that add a crunchy texture.

Mixed berries: A blend of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for the dressing.

Olive oil: A healthy fat used in the berry dressing.

Balsamic vinegar: Adds acidity and depth to the dressing.

Honey: Natural sweetener for the dressing.

Dijon mustard: Adds a tangy and slightly spicy flavor to the dressing.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dressing.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice to the dressing.

When preparing the red onion, soak the thin slices in cold water for about 10 minutes before adding them to the salad. This will help to mellow out the sharpness and make the onion flavor more subtle, allowing the sweetness of the strawberries and the creaminess of the feta cheese to shine through.

• fresh spinach - Substitute with arugula: Arugula has a peppery flavor that complements the sweetness of the berries and adds a different texture to the salad.

• strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries provide a similar sweetness and tartness, making them a great alternative.

• red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor and a slight sweetness that can balance the salad well.

• feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a creamy texture and tangy flavor that works well in salads.

• walnuts - Substitute with pecans: Pecans offer a similar crunch and slightly sweet flavor, making them a good replacement.

• mixed berries - Substitute with pomegranate seeds: Pomegranate seeds add a burst of sweetness and a different texture to the salad.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a suitable alternative.

• balsamic vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar provides a tangy flavor that can complement the sweetness of the berries.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a similar sweetness with a slightly different flavor profile.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar tangy flavor with added texture from the mustard seeds.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a similar level of seasoning with a slightly different mineral flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness but with a slightly different flavor profile.

• To keep your strawberry spinach salad fresh, store the salad and dressing separately. Place the spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and walnuts in an airtight container. Keep the berry dressing in a sealed jar or container.

• For the salad, ensure it is completely dry before storing. Excess moisture can cause the spinach to wilt. Use a salad spinner or pat the spinach dry with paper towels.

• Store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The dressing can be refrigerated for up to 1 week. Shake or stir the dressing well before using.

• If you plan to make the salad ahead of time, consider adding the feta cheese and walnuts just before serving to maintain their texture and flavor.

• To freeze the berry dressing, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before using.

• Avoid freezing the spinach and strawberries as they can become mushy upon thawing. Instead, prepare the salad fresh and use the frozen dressing when needed.

• When ready to serve, toss the salad with the berry dressing just before eating to ensure the spinach remains crisp and the flavors are vibrant.

• If you have leftover strawberry spinach salad, it's best to store the salad and dressing separately to maintain the freshness and texture.

• To reheat the walnuts and feta cheese, place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes. This will help to refresh their flavors and add a bit of crunch.

• For the spinach and strawberries, avoid reheating as they can become wilted and mushy. Instead, bring them to room temperature by leaving them out for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

• If you prefer a warm salad, you can lightly sauté the spinach in a pan with a touch of olive oil for 1-2 minutes until just wilted. Then, toss with the other ingredients and the berry dressing.

• To refresh the berry dressing, give it a good shake or whisk to re-emulsify the ingredients before drizzling over the salad.

• Serve immediately after combining all components to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

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

• Blender: This is essential for blending the mixed berries, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper into a smooth dressing.

• Measuring cups: These will help you measure out the spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, walnuts, and mixed berries accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Use these to measure the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.

• Chef's knife: A sharp knife is necessary for slicing the strawberries and red onion.

• Cutting board: This provides a safe surface for slicing the strawberries and red onion.

• Salad tongs: These are useful for tossing the salad gently to combine all the ingredients with the dressing.

• Serving bowl: Use this to present the salad once it is ready to be served.

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.

Pre-slice strawberries: Slice the strawberries in advance and keep them in a sealed container. This will make assembling the salad quicker.

Make dressing ahead: Prepare the berry dressing the night before and store it in the fridge. Give it a quick shake before using.

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

Chop walnuts in bulk: Chop a larger batch of walnuts and store them in an airtight container for future use.