yum!

Strawberry Spinach Salad


I know this isn't a new recipe, but my friend Josie made this a few weekends ago while we were visiting and I can't stop making it. It is so fresh and delicious and beautiful. We had it with grilled chicken last night. Here is the recipe.

Dressing
1 lemon
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp poppy seeds

Salad
¼ cup sliced natural almonds, toasted
8 oz. (1 ½ cups) strawberries, hulled and quartered
½ med. Cucumber, sliced and cut in half
¼ small red onion, sliced into thin wedges (1/4 cup)
1 package (6 ounces) baby spinach


For dressing, zest lemon to measure ½ tsp zest. Juice lemon to measure 2 tbsp juice. Combine zest, juice, vinegar, sugar, oil and poppy seeds in a bowl. Whisk until well blended. Cover; refrigerate until ready to use.

Preheat oven to 350° F. For salad, spread almonds in single layer over bottom of a small bar pan.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until lightly toasted. Remove from oven; cool almonds in bar pan. *I toast mine in a skillet.*

Meanwhile, hull strawberries; cut strawberries into quarters.

Score cucumber lengthwise; remove seeds. Slice cucumber; cut slices in half/ Slice onion into thin wedges.

Place spinach in large serving bowl; add strawberries, cucumber and onion. Whisk dressing; pour over salad, gently tossing to coat. Sprinkle with almonds. Serve immediately.