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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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A vibrant and refreshing salad combining sweet ripe strawberries, tender baby spinach, and a luscious homemade creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach (about 180 g)
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 300 g)
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (about 40 g)
  • 1/3 cup almonds or pecans, toasted and roughly chopped (about 40 g)
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled (about 75 g)
  • For the Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise or Greek yogurt (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup (30 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar (30 ml)
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (15 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (5 ml)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Rinse and thoroughly dry the baby spinach to avoid a soggy salad.
  2. Hull and slice the strawberries into even pieces.
  3. Thinly slice the red onion.
  4. Toast the nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside to cool.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, combine mayonnaise or Greek yogurt, honey, apple cider vinegar, poppy seeds, and Dijon mustard. Whisk or shake vigorously until smooth and well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a splash of water or milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, add the dried spinach leaves, sliced strawberries, and red onion.
  7. Pour the creamy poppy seed dressing over the salad ingredients.
  8. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every leaf and berry without smashing them.
  9. Sprinkle the toasted nuts and crumbled feta cheese on top.
  10. Give a final light toss if desired or serve as a layered presentation.
  11. Serve immediately or chill the salad. If making ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to maintain crispness.

Notes

Use fresh, ripe strawberries for best flavor and texture. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Dry spinach thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Adjust sweetness in dressing based on strawberry ripeness. For vegan version, substitute mayonnaise or yogurt with vegan alternatives and omit or replace feta cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, creamy poppy seed dressing, fresh salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, summer salad, gluten-free salad, vegetarian salad

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-poppy-seed-dressing/