Strawberry Spinach Poppy Salad

$To make a vibrant Strawberry Spinach Poppy Salad, you need these fresh ingredients: - 4 cups fresh spinach, thoroughly washed and roughly chopped - 2 cups ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced into thin rounds - 1/2 cup creamy feta cheese, crumbled - 1/2 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced into rings - 1/4 cup poppy seeds - 1/3 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste Each ingredient plays a key role in this salad's flavor and texture. Fresh spinach provides a crisp base. Ripe strawberries add sweetness and color. Creamy feta gives a rich, tangy taste. Toasted walnuts add crunch, while red onion offers a mild bite. Poppy seeds give a unique twist, and balsamic vinaigrette ties all the flavors together. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper to enhance everything! {{ingredient_image_2}} - Tossing spinach Start by placing the fresh spinach in a large salad bowl. Use your hands to toss it gently. This helps separate the leaves and makes them ready for the other ingredients. - Adding strawberries Next, add the sliced strawberries to the bowl. Spread them evenly across the spinach. Their bright red color will add a lovely contrast to your salad. - Incorporating feta and walnuts Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the spinach and strawberries. The creamy feta will give a nice touch. Then, add the toasted walnuts for a crunchy bite. - Mixing the vinaigrette In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seeds. Make sure they blend well to create a tasty dressing for your salad. - Drizzling dressing and seasoning Drizzle the poppy seed vinaigrette over the salad mix. Gently toss everything with salad tongs to coat all the ingredients. Finally, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Adjust the flavors to suit your liking! - Serving suggestions: Serve your salad in elegant individual plates or bowls. This makes each dish feel special. You can also use a large bowl for family-style serving. - Garnishing ideas: Add a few extra strawberries on top for color. A sprinkle of poppy seeds adds nice texture. For a fresh touch, place a lemon wedge on the side. - Creating individual servings: Use small mason jars for a fun take. Layer the spinach, strawberries, and feta in each jar. This way, you can grab a jar on the go. - Personalizing sweetness and creaminess: If you like it sweeter, add more strawberries. You can also mix in some honey or agave syrup. For creaminess, add more feta or a dollop of yogurt. - Modifying dressings: Try different dressings to change up the flavor. A honey mustard dressing can add a nice twist. You might also make a yogurt-based dressing for a creamier feel. Adjust the amounts to fit your taste buds! Pro Tips Choose Ripe Strawberries: Ensure your strawberries are at peak ripeness for the best flavor. Look for bright red berries with a natural sheen and no soft spots. Toast Your Walnuts: Lightly toasting walnuts enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to your salad. Simply toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant. Make It Ahead: You can prepare the salad components in advance and assemble them just before serving. This keeps the spinach fresh and prevents sogginess from the dressing. Experiment with Dressings: Feel free to customize the dressing! A honey mustard vinaigrette or a citrus dressing can offer a unique twist while pairing beautifully with the salad ingredients. {{image_4}} You can easily change the nuts or cheese in this salad. If you prefer a different taste, try using pecans or almonds instead of walnuts. They add a nice crunch too. For cheese, goat cheese can work well in place of feta. Its creamy texture pairs nicely with the spinach and berries. Feel free to swap in seasonal fruits as well. If strawberries are out of season, fresh blueberries or raspberries make great additions. You can even try diced apples or orange segments for a unique twist. All these fruits bring their own flavors while keeping the salad refreshing. If you want to mix up the dressing, consider making your own vinaigrette. A simple mix of olive oil, vinegar, and a bit of honey can add a sweet touch. You can also try a citrus vinaigrette made with lemon or orange juice. This gives a bright kick to your salad. Other store-bought dressings can work too. A honey mustard or poppy seed dressing can enhance the flavors. Just choose a dressing that complements the sweetness of the strawberries and the creaminess of the cheese. To keep your Strawberry Spinach Poppy Salad fresh, place it in an airtight container. Make sure to store the salad in the fridge. It will stay good for about 2 days. After that, the spinach may wilt, and the strawberries can get mushy. If possible, store the dressing separately. This keeps the salad crisp and tasty for longer. You can make this salad ahead of time. To prep, wash and chop the spinach and slice the strawberries. Store these in separate containers in the fridge. You can also crumble the feta cheese and chop the walnuts in advance. On serving day, just combine everything in a bowl. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently. This method saves time while keeping your salad fresh and vibrant! How long can the salad last in the fridge? You can keep this salad in the fridge for about 1 to 2 days. After that, the spinach may wilt, and the strawberries can get mushy. If you want to save it, store the dressing separately. This helps keep the salad fresh longer. Can I add protein like chicken or tofu? Yes, adding protein is a great idea! Cooked chicken or grilled tofu makes this salad more filling. You can also use chickpeas for a vegetarian option. This way, you turn a light salad into a hearty meal. Is this salad gluten-free? Yes, this salad is naturally gluten-free. All the ingredients are safe for a gluten-free diet. Just make sure your dressing is also gluten-free. Most balsamic vinaigrettes are free from gluten, but always check the label. How do I make the dressing from scratch? Making the dressing is simple. Mix 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar with 1/2 cup olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. For a twist, you can whisk in 1 tablespoon of honey or Dijon mustard. This quick dressing brings out all the flavors in your salad! This blog post covered a fresh spinach salad with strawberries and feta. You learned how to mix ingredients, customize flavors, and serve it well. Remember, you can swap in different fruits, nuts, or dressings to suit your taste. The tips for storage and meal prep will help you enjoy this salad even longer. Try making this salad your own. It's easy to whip up and always a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy your fresh, tasty meals with confidence!$

Strawberry Spinach Poppy Salad

A refreshing salad combining fresh spinach, ripe strawberries, creamy feta, and crunchy walnuts, topped with a poppy seed vinaigrette.

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Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

4 cups fresh spinach, thoroughly washed and roughly chopped
2 cups ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced into thin rounds
0.5 cup creamy feta cheese, crumbled
0.5 cup walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped
0.25 cup red onion, thinly sliced into rings
0.25 cup poppy seeds
0.33 cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing
to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a spacious salad bowl, add the freshly chopped spinach. Use your hands to gently toss and separate the leaves, making them more inviting for the other ingredients.
Introduce the sliced strawberries to the bowl, ensuring they are well-distributed among the spinach.
Next, sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the spinach and strawberries.
Incorporate the toasted walnuts followed by the thinly sliced red onion.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinaigrette and poppy seeds until fully blended.
Drizzle the poppy seed vinaigrette over the salad mixture and gently toss everything with salad tongs.
Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Notes

Serve in individual plates or bowls and garnish with extra strawberries and poppy seeds.

Keyword healthy, poppy seeds, salad, spinach, strawberry