Strawberry Spinach Balsamic Poppy Seed (Print version)

Vibrant blend of fresh spinach, strawberries, and tangy balsamic poppy seed dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad Components

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and thoroughly dried
02 - 1 pint (approximately 2 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced into rings
04 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
05 - 1/3 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
06 - 1/4 cup sunflower seeds (optional addition)

→ Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
08 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
12 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Place the baby spinach in a large salad bowl. Top with sliced strawberries, red onion rings, crumbled feta, toasted almonds, and sunflower seeds if using.
02 - In a small mixing bowl or jar, whisk together balsamic vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard until combined. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking continuously to create an emulsified dressing. Stir in poppy seeds and season with salt and pepper to taste.
03 - Drizzle the balsamic poppy seed dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently using salad tongs to coat all ingredients evenly without damaging the greens. Serve immediately with additional strawberries or almonds for garnish if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The way the sharp balsamic cuts through sweet strawberries feels like discovering flavor combinations that should have been obvious all along
  • Everyone thinks you put in way more effort than fifteen minutes actually requires
02 -
  • The dressing will separate if it sits too long, so give it a quick whisk right before pouring
  • Soggy spinach ruins everything completely—dress this right at the last possible second
03 -
  • Dry the spinach thoroughly using a salad spinner or paper towels, otherwise the dressing will slide right off the wet leaves
  • Let the dressing sit for ten minutes before serving to let the poppy seeds soften slightly and release their flavor

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