Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Crunch Salad featuring fresh strawberries, mixed greens, crumbled feta, and toasted almonds, all tossed in a tangy champagne vinaigrette. Perfect as a light lunch or a delightful side dish with a balance of sweet, savory, and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup mixed greens
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Champagne Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash and slice the fresh strawberries, then set them aside to keep fresh.
- Prep Greens: Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly and place them in a large salad bowl as the base.
- Add Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese evenly over the mixed greens to add a creamy and tangy element.
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad bowl with the greens and feta for a sharp flavor contrast.
- Toast Almonds: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds, stirring occasionally until golden brown and fragrant, then remove from heat and allow to cool, enhancing their crunch and nutty flavor.
- Make Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth to create the champagne vinaigrette dressing.
- Dress Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad ingredients just before serving to maintain freshness and prevent sogginess.
- Toss Gently: Gently toss the salad to evenly coat the greens, feta, and onions with the dressing without bruising the delicate ingredients.
- Add Strawberries: Place the sliced strawberries on top of the tossed salad and gently toss again to incorporate them, preserving their shape and juiciness.
- Top with Almonds: Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds over the salad to add a crunchy texture contrast.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad promptly to enjoy the vibrant flavors and crisp textures at their best.
Notes
- Toasting the almonds enhances their flavor and adds a delightful crunch to the salad.
- Use fresh and ripe strawberries for the best sweetness and juiciness.
- The salad is best served immediately after dressing to maintain crispness of the greens.
- You can substitute feta cheese with goat cheese for a different tangy flavor profile.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the vinaigrette to suit your preferred sweetness level.
