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Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts

fresh strawberry spinach salad - featured image
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A refreshing and easy-to-make salad combining fresh baby spinach, ripe strawberries, crumbled feta, and crunchy candied walnuts, tossed in a sweet and tangy balsamic dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings or a light meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 5 cups baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 3/4 cup walnut halves
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Make the Candied Walnuts: Heat a medium non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and butter. Stir constantly for 5-7 minutes until sugar melts and coats walnuts in a shiny glaze. Avoid burning. Transfer to parchment paper to cool and harden.
  2. Prepare the Salad Ingredients: Rinse and dry baby spinach thoroughly. Hull and slice strawberries. Thinly slice red onion; rinse if a milder taste is preferred and pat dry.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until fully combined and slightly thickened.
  4. Toss the Salad: In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, red onion, and crumbled feta. Pour dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat without bruising berries.
  5. Top with Candied Walnuts: Just before serving, sprinkle cooled candied walnuts over the salad to maintain crunch. Toss gently if desired and serve immediately.

Notes

Prepare candied walnuts in advance and store in an airtight container for up to one week. Add walnuts just before serving to keep them crunchy. Handle strawberries gently to avoid bruising. Dressing can be adjusted for sweetness and acidity to taste. For vegan adaptation, omit feta and replace honey with maple syrup.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry spinach salad, candied walnuts, fresh salad, summer salad, easy salad recipe, healthy salad, balsamic dressing

Find it online: https://savoryrecipes.info/fresh-strawberry-spinach-salad-recipe-with-easy-candied-walnuts-tutorial/