Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

Baby spinach: Fresh, tender leaves that form the base of the salad.

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

Red onion: Adds a sharp, tangy contrast to the sweetness.

Feta cheese: Crumbled cheese that provides a creamy, salty element.

Walnuts: Chopped nuts that add a crunchy texture.

Olive oil: Forms the base of the salad dressing.

Balsamic vinegar: Adds acidity and depth to the dressing.

Honey: Sweetens the dressing naturally.

Dijon mustard: Adds a bit of tang and helps emulsify the dressing.

Salt: Enhances the flavors of the salad.

Black pepper: Adds a touch of heat and complexity.

To enhance the flavor of the walnuts, try toasting them lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until they become fragrant. This simple step adds a delightful crunch and a deeper, more complex flavor to your strawberry spinach salad.

• baby spinach - Substitute with arugula: Arugula has a peppery flavor that adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the strawberries.

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

• red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor compared to red onions.

• feta cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese has a creamy texture and tangy flavor that complements the salad well.

• walnuts - Substitute with pecans: Pecans have a slightly sweeter taste and similar crunch to walnuts.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits to olive oil.

• balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar provides a tangy flavor that pairs well with the salad ingredients.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup offers a similar sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with whole grain mustard: Whole grain mustard has a similar flavor profile with added texture.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct replacement for regular salt with a slightly different mineral content.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat and flavor without the black specks.

• To keep your strawberry spinach salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help maintain the crispness of the baby spinach and the juiciness of the strawberries.

• If you plan to store the salad for more than a day, consider keeping the dressing separate. This prevents the spinach from becoming soggy. Store the dressing in a small jar or container and mix it with the salad just before serving.

• For optimal freshness, consume the salad within 2 days. The feta cheese and walnuts may lose their texture if stored for too long.

• If you need to prepare the salad in advance, you can pre-slice the strawberries and red onion, and store them separately in airtight containers. Combine all ingredients just before serving to ensure the best texture and flavor.

• Freezing the strawberry spinach salad is not recommended, as the spinach and strawberries will lose their texture and become mushy upon thawing. However, you can freeze the dressing separately if needed. Pour it into a small, freezer-safe container and thaw it in the refrigerator before use.

• If you have leftover walnuts, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. They can also be frozen to extend their shelf life. Just make sure to thaw them at room temperature before adding them to the salad.

• To keep the red onion fresh, store any unused portions in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. This will help maintain its crispness and prevent it from drying out.

• For the best flavor, use fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar when making the dressing. Store any leftover dressing in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using it again.

• If you have leftover strawberry spinach salad, it's best to store the dressing separately from the salad to keep the spinach from becoming soggy.

• To reheat the salad, follow these steps:

  1. Separate the Ingredients: Remove the strawberries, feta cheese, and walnuts from the spinach and set them aside. These ingredients do not need to be reheated.

  2. Warm the Spinach: Place the spinach in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on medium power for about 20-30 seconds, just until slightly wilted. Alternatively, you can lightly sauté the spinach in a pan with a tiny bit of olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

  3. Reassemble the Salad: Once the spinach is slightly warmed, mix it back with the strawberries, feta cheese, and walnuts.

  4. Dress the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.

• Enjoy your reheated strawberry spinach salad with the same fresh flavors as when it was first made!

• Large mixing bowl: To combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and chopped walnuts.

• Small bowl: To whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.

• Whisk: To mix the dressing ingredients until well combined.

• Chef's knife: To slice the strawberries and thinly slice the red onion.

• Cutting board: To provide a surface for slicing the strawberries and red onion.

• Measuring cups: To measure the baby spinach, strawberries, red onion, feta cheese, and walnuts.

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

• Salad tongs: To toss the salad gently and coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.

Pre-wash and dry spinach: Save time by pre-washing and drying the baby spinach ahead of time. Store it in the fridge until needed.

Use pre-sliced strawberries: Buy pre-sliced strawberries to cut down on prep time.

Pre-chop red onion: Chop the red onion in advance and store it in an airtight container.

Make dressing ahead: Whisk together the dressing ingredients and store in the fridge. Shake well before using.

Buy crumbled feta: Purchase crumbled feta cheese to avoid extra prep work.

Use pre-chopped nuts: Opt for pre-chopped walnuts to save time.