Tender spinach forms the base of the salad and is topped with buttery avocado, sweet juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy goat cheese, all drizzled with a Poppyseed dressing to top it off.
Happy Mother's Day! I know that everyone is thinking of creative ways to celebrate mom today. I hope everyone is healthy and safe and has a great day. I have another installment from my Spring Fling series of light and fresh recipes that use the abundance of produce that pops up in Spring.
Today's recipe is that and more. When May hits Strawberries come to mind. Every year the city of Oxnard hosts our Annual Strawberry festival. Oxnard is one of our local farming areas and one thing they grow are strawberries so this festival is a highlight every Spring. We love to go and eat everything strawberry and of course bring home a flat to enjoy. Sadly this year, there won't be a festival but I thought I would pay tribute to the luscious strawberries grown in California and treat you to a wonderful recipe using them.
This Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad is the perfect Spring salad to go along with just about any dish. Tender spinach forms the base of the salad and is topped with buttery avocado, sweet juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy goat cheese, all drizzled with a Poppyseed dressing to top it off. The dressing is slightly sweet but has a healthier twist because it is made with yogurt instead of the typical mayonnaise and it is heavenly and perfect on top of this salad!
What ingredients do I need for the salad?
Just 5 ingredients and you will have one special salad!
What do I need for the dressing, and how do I make it?
A few simple ingredients is all that it takes to make a wonderful salad dressing. Place the ingredient in a bowl and whisk in the olive oil until it is emulsified. Or you can just throw it all in a mason jar and shake, shake, shake. It's super easy to throw this together and tastes amazing. Plus this is a healthier version so you can feel good about that.
This couldn't be easier to throw together, and making your own dressing shouldn't be something to worry about. It is so simple you'll wonder why you ever bought bottled dressing. Give it a try!
We had this salad for our lunch with a side of garlic bread as we sat outside and enjoyed the Spring weather. This would be a great salad to take to a potluck or serve at a brunch. It is the ideal accompaniment for sandwiches, grilled chicken,fish or beef because it brings a lightness to the meal.
More Salad Favorites:
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Yogurt Dressing
serves 4
Salad:
6 oz baby spinach
1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
2 Large avocados chopped
1/4 cup whole pecans
1/4 cup goat cheese
Poppyseed Yogurt Dressing:
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon honey
pinch salt and fresh ground pepper
Directions:
In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, avocados, almonds, and goat cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, honey and poppyseeds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle just enough over the salad to coat. Serve additional dressing along side.
Serve salad immediately and garnish with more feta cheese and almonds if desired.
Today's recipe is that and more. When May hits Strawberries come to mind. Every year the city of Oxnard hosts our Annual Strawberry festival. Oxnard is one of our local farming areas and one thing they grow are strawberries so this festival is a highlight every Spring. We love to go and eat everything strawberry and of course bring home a flat to enjoy. Sadly this year, there won't be a festival but I thought I would pay tribute to the luscious strawberries grown in California and treat you to a wonderful recipe using them.
This Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad is the perfect Spring salad to go along with just about any dish. Tender spinach forms the base of the salad and is topped with buttery avocado, sweet juicy strawberries, crunchy pecans, and tangy goat cheese, all drizzled with a Poppyseed dressing to top it off. The dressing is slightly sweet but has a healthier twist because it is made with yogurt instead of the typical mayonnaise and it is heavenly and perfect on top of this salad!
What ingredients do I need for the salad?
- Baby Spinach
- Strawberries
- Pecans
- Avocado
- Goat Cheese
Just 5 ingredients and you will have one special salad!
What do I need for the dressing, and how do I make it?
- plain Greek yogurt
- olive oil
- white wine vinegar
- poppy seeds
- teaspoon honey
- pinch salt and fresh ground pepper
A few simple ingredients is all that it takes to make a wonderful salad dressing. Place the ingredient in a bowl and whisk in the olive oil until it is emulsified. Or you can just throw it all in a mason jar and shake, shake, shake. It's super easy to throw this together and tastes amazing. Plus this is a healthier version so you can feel good about that.
This couldn't be easier to throw together, and making your own dressing shouldn't be something to worry about. It is so simple you'll wonder why you ever bought bottled dressing. Give it a try!
We had this salad for our lunch with a side of garlic bread as we sat outside and enjoyed the Spring weather. This would be a great salad to take to a potluck or serve at a brunch. It is the ideal accompaniment for sandwiches, grilled chicken,fish or beef because it brings a lightness to the meal.
More Salad Favorites:
- Dill Garden Salad
- Roasted Carrot Noodle Salad with Honey Thyme Vinaigrette
- Orzo Black Bean Salad
- Romaine and Apricot Salad
Strawberry Avocado Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Yogurt Dressing
serves 4
Salad:
6 oz baby spinach
1 cup fresh strawberries sliced
2 Large avocados chopped
1/4 cup whole pecans
1/4 cup goat cheese
Poppyseed Yogurt Dressing:
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon poppy seeds
1 teaspoon honey
pinch salt and fresh ground pepper
Directions:
In a large salad bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, avocados, almonds, and goat cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, vinegar, olive oil, honey and poppyseeds. Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle just enough over the salad to coat. Serve additional dressing along side.
Serve salad immediately and garnish with more feta cheese and almonds if desired.
