Spinach Strawberry Balsamic Bleu Cheese Salad Recipes

STRAWBERRY AND SPINACH SALAD WITH HONEY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Combine the spinach, strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese, and pecans in a large bowl.
• Stir the balsamic vinegar and honey together in a bowl; slowly stream the olive oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.

SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Toast the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the pecans smell fragrant and the center of a pecan is tan when the pecan is broken in half. (Do not walk away from the oven in the last few minutes of cooking. This is when nuts love to burn.) Transfer to a cutting board and roughly chop.
• Place the sliced onions in a bowl and cover with cold water. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the salad (this keeps their flavor but removes the harsh onion bite).
• Prepare the dressing: In small mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients-vinegar, oil, poppy seeds, honey, mustard, salt, and pepper-until well combined. (Alternatively, you can shake the ingredients together in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid).
• Assemble the salad: Place the spinach in a great big serving bowl. Add the strawberries. Drain the red onion and add it as well. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the leaves. Assess the amount of dressing. You want the spinach leaves to be nicely moistened but not swimming in dressing. Add a little more if needed to suit your preferences. Add the feta and pecans. Toss lightly to combine. Serve immediately, with extra dressing on the side as desired.

SPINACH STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH BLUE CHEESE

Steps:

• Make pecans first. Stir together the 2 tablespoons of sugar and warm water and mix to combine. Add the pecans and soak for 10 minutes, then drain thoroughly. Mix together the 1 tablespoon of sugar, chili powder, and cayenne pepper, then toss the pecans in the mixture. Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment or nonstick foil and bake for 10 minutes at 350°, stirring once about halfway through the baking time. Move the pecans and parchment or foil to a cooling rack while preparing the rest of the salad. Add the greens, then blue cheese, mandarin oranges and strawberries to a large salad bowl. Set aside. Make the vinaigrette by whisking together the balsamic vinegar, mustard, honey, garlic, shallot, salt, and a few gratings of black pepper. Then slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until the oil is incorporated and the dressing is thick and emulsified. To serve, toss the salad with enough of the salad dressing to lightly coat the greens. Pass extra dressing as needed.

SPINACH STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC BLEU CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In small bowl mix together olive oil, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, shallot and sugar.
• Whisk in teaspoon of Dijon mustard until dressing is smooth. Allow to sit for at least 30 minutes before using.
• In large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, nuts, and cheese.
• If you are sure you will be using all of the spinach salad, dress salad lightly immediately before serving. If you will have some salad left over (which rarely happens in my family) allow each individual to dress their own salad. It is a sweet dressing so a little goes a long way.

BALSAMIC BLEU CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, toss together the mixed greens, leaf lettuce, cheese and walnuts. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice. Pour over the salad mixture and toss well.

STRAWBERRY BLUE CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the pecans in a skillet over medium heat. Tossing frequently, toast until lightly browned.
• In a bowl, whisk together the raspberry vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil.
• In a large bowl, mix the toasted pecans, greens, strawberries, blue cheese, and red onion. Toss with the vinegar and olive oil dressing mixture to serve.