Spinach Strawberry Salad

Strawberry Spinach Salad is my unofficial start to spring because—and I think it’s important that we are honest about this—a March or early-April spring is not a real thing when you live in the upper Midwest.
Slowly, however, my little yard turns greener, and I notice my salad cravings shifting away from warm toppings like the lentils and roasted vegetables in this Lentil Salad with Roasted Cauliflower or the sautéed potatoes in this Pea Salad to ones that are distinctly lighter and  brighter: strawberries, poppy seeds, feta.

Another catalyst for my subjective start to “spring” (and I am not even going to pretend that I am ashamed about this): the Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad at Panera returns. Oh happy day!

Today’s healthy Spinach Strawberry Salad is gateway food. It’s a starter to spring (or a continuation of it if you are lucky enough to live in a place where spring arrives on time).

It’s a starter to salad skeptics. Sweet berries, toasted pecans, creamy feta, and a lovely honey balsamic poppy seed dressing make for an easy transition to leafy greens, even if salad isn’t usually something typically pile willingly onto your plate.

And it’s a starter or side for any spring or summer party menu! Did someone ask you to bring a side for Easter this weekend? A potluck? A dinner party where you’re not sure what everyone likes? This Spinach Strawberry Salad is an ideal choice. It’s easy, crowd-pleasing, and flexible too.

Spinach Strawberry Salad
It is delicious and so refreshing.

Ingredients

For the Salad

•     Romaine lettuce or spinach leaves, washed
•     Pecans, chopped
•     Strawberries, washed and sliced
•     Feta cheese, crumbled

For the Poppyseed Dressing

•     1/2 cup olive oil
•     2 cloves garlic, minced
•     1 tablespoon poppyseeds
•     1/3 cup red wine vinegar
•     1/2 teaspoon salt
•     2-3 tablespoons honey, to taste
•     1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions

1. Place lettuce in the bottom of a serving bowl or distribute among individual plates. Top with strawberries, pecans, and feta cheese, to taste. Toss with dressing just before serving, or serve dressing on the side.
2. For the dressing: whisk all ingredients together and mix again just before pouring to re-combine the oil and vinegar.

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