With Spring in the air, strawberries are sweetening and peas are appearing! I love walking through the Farmer's Market and contemplating what ingredients might make an exquisite salad for that very day. I am a bit silly and actually love thinking about who I will be sharing my salad with, what the weather's like, and how I want to feel eating it. For this particular salad, I was bringing it to a girls' brunch with a group of very special ladies. Anytime I think about girls' day or brunch, I think of something fresh, light and bubbly. When I thought about the weather...well, it was raining, but I was sure these bright ingredients might inspire a little sun. Lastly, when I eat salad, I love to have a perfect combination of both textures and flavors, and the crunch of these almonds certainly did the trick. Hope you enjoy this salad as much as we all did and can't wait to hear about your favorite salad combinations as well!
Strawberry & Champagne Spring Salad
(Serves 4)
Salad Ingredients:
· 1-pint strawberries, sliced
· 2 cucumbers, shaved
· 1 cup fresh peas, sliced into ½” pieces
· 4 cups mixed greens or arugula
· 1 cup slivered almonds, macadamia nuts or walnuts
· 2 oz goat chevre or nut milk based soft french style cheese*
· Fresh mint or basil, to taste
Dressing Ingredients:
· ¼ champagne vinegar*
· ½ cup olive oil
· 1 lemon, juiced
· 1 small shallot, finely diced
· 2 tsp Dijon
· 1-2 Tbsp honey
· ½ tsp Himalayan salt
· ¼ tsp cracked pepper
Directions:
1) Lay mixed salad greens on a large platter or in a large salad bowl.
2) Shave cucumbers, lengthwise, using a vegetable peeler. Lay nicely over bed of greens.
3) Assemble strawberries a top the cucumbers, followed by the peas, almonds, and goat cheese.
4) Chiffonade mint or basil (or both), and sprinkle over top.
5) Add all dressing ingredients in a blender or mason jar. Blend or shake to emulsify. Add to salad and toss or leave on the side.
6) Enjoy!
*Notes:
- Feel free to use a different vinegar, Apple Vinegar is really nice in this as well
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