Description
Succulent strawberry & blueberry spinach salad dances with tangy feta and crunchy pecans, creating a symphony of fresh summer flavors. Light, nutritious, and beautifully balanced, you’ll savor each colorful bite of this delightful seasonal ensemble.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients:
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) fresh baby spinach
- 1 cup (150 grams) sliced strawberries
- 1 cup (150 grams) fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup (60 grams) candied or toasted pecans
- 1/3 cup (50 grams) crumbled feta cheese
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) Dijon mustard
Seasoning:
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously whisking olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel until the ingredients emulsify into a smooth, glossy dressing.
- Create a colorful landscape in a spacious salad bowl by layering fresh spinach leaves as the verdant foundation, then artfully arranging sliced crimson strawberries and deep blue blueberries across the green canvas.
- Enhance the visual and flavor profile by sprinkling crumbled feta cheese, allowing its creamy white texture to contrast against the bright fruit and leafy greens.
- Elevate the salad’s complexity by scattering candied or toasted pecans, introducing a delightful crunch and nutty undertone to the composition.
- Moments before serving, delicately cascade the prepared vinaigrette over the salad, using a gentle tossing motion to ensure each ingredient receives a light, even coating without bruising the delicate components.
Notes
- Swap maple syrup for honey to create a vegan version of this vibrant salad, ensuring everyone can enjoy its delightful flavors.
- Toast pecans briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty aroma and add a deeper, more complex taste to the dish.
- Opt for organic spinach and berries when possible to maximize nutritional benefits and support sustainable farming practices.
- Prepare dressing separately and store in the refrigerator up to two days in advance to save time during meal preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg