Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe

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

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

Toasted sliced almonds: Crunchy nuts that provide texture and a nutty flavor.

Feta cheese: Creamy, tangy cheese that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.

Olive oil: A healthy fat used to make the salad dressing.

Balsamic vinegar: Adds a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the dressing.

Honey: Natural sweetener that balances the acidity of the vinegar.

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

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the salad.

Pepper: Adds a touch of heat and depth to the dressing.

To enhance the flavor of the toasted almonds, consider toasting them yourself in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they are golden brown and fragrant. This will bring out their natural oils and add a deeper, richer taste 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.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with sliced peaches: Peaches provide a similar sweetness and juiciness, making them a great alternative.

• toasted sliced almonds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds offer a similar crunch and nutty flavor, and are a good option for those with nut allergies.

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

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a mild flavor and similar health benefits, making it a good alternative.

• balsamic vinegar - Substitute with red wine vinegar: Red wine vinegar provides a tangy flavor that pairs well with the other 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 and adds a bit of texture to the dressing.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a savory umami flavor and can be used in small amounts to season the salad.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit of heat and can be used sparingly to spice up the salad.

• To keep your strawberry spinach salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. Place a paper towel on top of the salad before sealing the container to absorb excess moisture and prevent wilting.
• For the best texture, store the dressing separately in a small jar or container. This prevents the spinach from becoming soggy. Shake the dressing well before using.
• If you plan to enjoy the salad over a few days, consider adding the strawberries and toasted almonds just before serving. This keeps the strawberries from becoming mushy and the almonds from losing their crunch.
• When ready to serve, combine the salad ingredients and drizzle with the dressing. Toss gently to ensure even coating.
• If freezing, note that spinach and strawberries may lose their texture. It's best to freeze the dressing separately and use fresh spinach and strawberries when ready to assemble.
• To freeze the dressing, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen cubes to a freezer-safe bag. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
• Avoid freezing feta cheese and toasted almonds as they may not retain their texture and flavor after thawing. Store them in the refrigerator instead.
• For meal prep, portion out the spinach, strawberries, feta cheese, and toasted almonds into individual containers. Keep the dressing in a separate container. This makes it easy to assemble a fresh salad quickly.

• First and foremost, it's important to note that reheating a strawberry spinach salad can be tricky since the baby spinach and strawberries are delicate and can wilt or become mushy when exposed to heat. However, if you must reheat, follow these steps:

• Separate the Ingredients: Before reheating, separate the toasted almonds, feta cheese, and dressing from the spinach and strawberries. This will help maintain the texture and flavor of each component.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the spinach and strawberries in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on low power (30-40%) for about 20-30 seconds. Check and stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Once slightly warmed, add back the toasted almonds, feta cheese, and drizzle with the dressing.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Use a non-stick skillet over low heat.
  2. Add the spinach and strawberries to the skillet.
  3. Stir gently and heat for about 1-2 minutes until just warmed.
  4. Remove from heat and mix in the toasted almonds, feta cheese, and dressing.

• Room Temperature Method:

  1. If you prefer not to use heat, simply let the salad sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.
  2. This will take the chill off without compromising the texture of the spinach and strawberries.
  3. Toss with the toasted almonds, feta cheese, and dressing before serving.

• Reassemble and Serve: After reheating, combine all the ingredients back together. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to ensure everything is well-coated.

Remember, the goal is to warm the salad slightly without cooking it, preserving the fresh and vibrant flavors of the strawberry spinach salad.

• Large mixing bowl: A spacious bowl to combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, toasted almonds, and crumbled feta cheese.

• Small bowl: A smaller bowl to whisk together the dressing ingredients.

• Whisk: A tool to thoroughly mix the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately measuring the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and toasted almonds.

• Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

• Salad tongs: Useful for tossing the salad to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed.

• Cutting board: A surface to slice the strawberries safely and efficiently.

• Chef's knife: A sharp knife to slice the strawberries cleanly.

• Serving bowl: A bowl to present the salad attractively when serving.

• Toaster or skillet: Used to toast the sliced almonds to bring out their flavor.

Pre-wash and dry spinach: Save time by buying pre-washed baby spinach or washing and drying it in advance.

Use pre-sliced strawberries: Purchase pre-sliced strawberries or slice them the night before to cut down on prep time.

Toast almonds ahead: Toast the sliced almonds in bulk and store them in an airtight container for future use.

Make dressing in advance: Whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and dijon mustard ahead of time and store in the fridge.

Combine ingredients quickly: Have all ingredients ready and simply combine them in a large mixing bowl when needed.