Spinach & Strawberry Salad

Enjoy the depth of flavor created by adding some unexpected ingredients.

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You can make this fresh, fruity salad dressing up to a week in advance. When you’re ready, drizzle it over spinach greens and onions for a fast and delicious appetizer or meal.

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Total Time : 20 minutes
Prep Time : 20 minutes
Servings : 4 (vinaigrette makes 1 1/2 cups)

Ingredients

8 cups spinach, washed, drained and patted dry, stems removed, and chilled
3 cups strawberries, rinsed, drained and hulled
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
1/8 teaspoon each ground black pepper and salt

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Directions

step 1 Place the spinach in a large bowl, cover with moist paper towel and refrigerate to chill and crisp.

step 2 Thinly slice 2 cups of the strawberries lengthwise and place in a medium-size bowl. Add the sliced red onion to the bowl. Set aside.

step 3Roughly chop the remaining 1 cup of strawberries.

step 4 Pour the balsamic vinegar into a blender, cover with the lid and remove the center cap. With the blender on high speed, drop the chopped strawberries through the top of the blender and blend until completely pureed, about 30 seconds.

step 5 With the blender still on high, slowly pour the oil through the top into the blender until all the oil is added and the vinaigrette is emulsified (completely blended). Season with salt and pepper.

step 6 In a large salad bowl, toss the spinach with the strawberries and onions from step 2. Toss with 1 cup of the vinaigrette or serve on the side. Dressing will keep in the refrigerator for 1 week, stored in a Ziploc® Brand Twist ’n Loc® Container.

chef's note

Arugula, baby spinach or mixed baby greens can be used instead of or in addition to the spinach.

For a deeper, more distinct flavor in the vinaigrette, reduce canola or vegetable oil by 1/4 cup and add 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil.

This dressing also works well as a dipping sauce for chopped veggies.

Hulling strawberries means removing the tough stem end by scooping slightly into the berry. First, pull off the leaves. Then use a pointed paring knife to carefully cut out a small circle around the stem. The stem should fall out. If it doesn’t, pull it out. Alternatively, you can use a strawberry huller (a small, inexpensive tool) that quickly scoops out the stem end.

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