Strawberry Spring Mix Salad
User Reviews
5
Strawberry Spring Mix Salad
Description
Strawberry Spring Mix Salad features a base of fresh spring mix greens topped with juicy sliced strawberries, crumbled feta cheese, and optionally dried cranberries for extra sweetness and chew. Topping the salad are sugared almonds, made by melting sugar over sliced almonds to create a sweet, crunchy addition.
The dressing is a homemade sweet poppyseed dressing made from white vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, grated onion, black pepper, poppy seeds, and neutral cooking oil. It's emulsified to a smooth, creamy texture that adheres well to the salad ingredients, bringing brightness and a mild sweetness punctuated by the poppy seeds’ slight crunch.
This salad is ideal for spring or summer meals and pairs nicely with grilled dishes or light poultry. The combination of crisp greens, fruity berries, creamy cheese, and crunchy almonds ensures a variety of textures and flavors in every bite.
The poppyseed dressing can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week; shake or whisk before using to remix separated ingredients. Letting the dressing chill at least 30 minutes before serving helps meld the flavors.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. spring mix
- 1 lb. strawberries (sliced)
- 3/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 3/4 cup almonds sliced
- 3 Tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (optional)
Sweet Poppyseed Dressing:
- 1/3 cup vinegar (white)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
- 1 to 2 Tablespoons onion grated
- 1 cup neutral cooking oil generic cooking oil
Instructions
Make Poppyseed Dressing:
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the white vinegar, sugar, Dijon mustard, salt, and onion. Whisk until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Gradually pour in the vegetable oil while continuously whisking. This will help emulsify the dressing, giving it a creamy and smooth consistency. Continue whisking until the dressing is fully blended.
Make Sugared Almonds:
- Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add almonds and sugar and stir to coat. Let the sugar melt and stir often. Watch carefully to ensure the almonds aren't becoming too brown. Once the sugar has melted and coated the almonds, remove from the heat and place on parchment paper to cool before adding to the salad.
- In a large salad bowl, add spring mix, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, and dried cranberries, if using. Add cooled sugared almonds. Toss with some of the poppyseed dressing when ready to serve. You may not need all of the dressing so you can put it on the side for your guests to add more dressing as needed.
Notes
- Store the poppyseed dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Shake or stir the dressing before each use as ingredients may separate during storage.
- Refrigerate the dressing for at least 30 minutes prior to serving to allow flavors to blend.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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