Description
A refreshing Strawberry Arugula Salad featuring a creamy vinaigrette, perfect for summer dining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (150g) halved strawberries, fresh
- 1/2 cup (120ml) extra virgin olive oil, high quality
- 1/4 cup (60ml) balsamic vinegar, aged
- 2 Tbsp (30g) honey, local preferred
- 1 Tbsp (15ml) lemon juice, fresh
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 cups (120g) baby spinach, vibrant
- 2 cups (60g) arugula, fresh
- 2 cups (300g) sliced strawberries, fresh
- 1 cup (120g) sliced English cucumber, without blemishes
- 1/2 cup (75g) thinly sliced red onion, small for milder flavor
- 1/2 cup (75g) crumbled feta cheese, high quality
- 1/4 cup (15g) roughly chopped Italian flat leaf parsley, bright green
- 1/4 cup (30g) sliced almonds, toasted
Instructions
- Mix Salad Ingredients: Start by tossing the arugula, strawberries, and any other veggies in a large bowl. You will want to see a beautiful mix of colors and textures. This step is all about creating that fresh look, and if you overmix, it can bruise the strawberries, so be gentle.
- Whisk Dressing Together: In a separate bowl, whisk together your dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy. You will know it is ready when it has a nice, velvety consistency that coats the back of a spoon. If it feels too thick, just add a splash of water to loosen it up — we want it just right!
- Dress Just Before Serving: When you are ready to eat, drizzle the dressing over the salad. It should glisten invitingly and smell bright and tangy. Dressing it too early can lead to sogginess, so wait until the last minute to keep everything crisp and fresh.
- Plate & Enjoy: Spoon the salad onto plates, giving it a lovely presentation. You will want to see those vibrant colors pop! If you are not careful here, you might end up with an overloaded plate, so keep it balanced for both taste and aesthetics.
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store the salad and dressing separately to maintain freshness. Dressing lasts a few days in the fridge.
- Expert Tips: If the dressing seems too thick, a splash of water or a drizzle of olive oil can help achieve your desired consistency.
- When preparing the salad, cutting all ingredients ahead of time and refrigerating them keeps everything crisp until you are ready to serve.
- If you notice the salad wilting quickly, try dressing it right before serving to maintain freshness and crunch.
- For a tangy dressing, sweetness can be adjusted by incorporating a bit more honey or additional fresh fruit.
- If you are concerned about sogginess, hold off on adding the dressing until just before enjoying the salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad bowl
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 16.5g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 32.7g
- Saturated Fat: 6.7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4.2g
- Protein: 6.2g
- Cholesterol: 17mg