Strawberry Spinach Salad

Cooking Creations with Chef Brandon is thrilled to have summer just around the corner and to celebrate the warming season with great summer recipes. One of the best parts of summer in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana is all the fresh fruit available! Enjoy a day of picking at a local grove or pick up fresh ingredients from the farmers market for the best tasting salads. Side salad for a party or a main entrée for any day of the week, the Strawberry Spinach Salad will have your taste buds basking in flavorful delight.

Ingredients

Salad

6 C.                        Spinach

8 oz.                       Strawberries, Sliced (about 2 cups)

1 Large                 Avocado, Sliced

1/2 Small             Red Onion, Thinly Sliced

1/2 C.                    Feta Crumbles

1/3 C.                    Walnuts

Balsamic Strawberry Vinaigrette

3 Tbsp.                 Balsamic Vinegar

1/4 C.                    Olive Oil

1                             Garlic Clove, Grated or Finely Minced

1/2 Tsp.                Dijon Mustard

1/2 Tbsp.             Strawberry Jam

Freshly Ground Salt and Pepper to Taste

Preparation

1.)    Create the vinaigrette by adding all dressing ingredients to a mason jar or small bowl. Shake or mix well to combine. Remember that quality matters when it comes to using olive oil for vinaigrettes. The better the olive oil, the better tasting your dressing is going to be. Taste and add additional salt and pepper if necessary.

2.)    Toast walnuts over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2-5 minutes until walnuts are slightly golden brown. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

3.)    Build the salad base. Add spinach to a large bowl, layer on the strawberries, avocado slices, red onion, feta, and toast walnuts. Keep some toppings to the side to finish the look once tossed. Add dressing and toss together. Top salad with extra toppings and drizzle with any remaining vinaigrette for presentation.

The Strawberry Spinach Salad is the taste of summer in a bowl and will make your top list of sides and main entrees this summer. Take us on your salad making adventure and share photos on social media with #FourWindsCasino or by emailing photos to social@fourwindscasino.com. Tune in to more Cooking Creations with Chef Brandon on our Instagram and Facebook accounts for step by step videos.