Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts

This year we have planted our very first strawberry plants. I wish I could brag and say that the berries in this awesome recipe came from our garden. While we are producing beautiful berries, as soon as they ripen, my guys are out in the garden having a snack. Maybe next year, when the novelty of eating berries right off the plant has worn thin, I might get enough to really work with in the kitchen.

This is one of my favorite summer salads. The candied walnuts and sweetness of the dressing bring out the flavors of the berries and give a nice balance to the tender spinach leaves. It is all the sweetness of the season on a chilled salad plate.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Candied Walnuts
Candied Walnuts
1/4 cup Brown Sugar
2 tablespoons Butter
1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped

To Candy the Walnuts
Melt butter with brown sugar in a sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add walnuts, stir to coat.

Empty walnuts on a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet. Separate into individual nuts and let cool.

Strawberry Spinach Salad
4 cups fresh Spinach, stems trimmed and roughly chopped
10 Strawberries, sliced
Cheese, Feta crumbled

To Make Salad
Remove stems from the spinach. Roughly chop leaves and place half of the spinach leaves in a large shallow bowl.

Wash and hull strawberries. Slice in half or quarters lengthwise depending upon size of berries. Layer half of the cut strawberries over the bed of spinach.

Create a second layer of spinach and strawberries.

Scatter candied walnuts over the salad. Top with Feta Cheese. Set aside until ready to serve.

Mango Balsamic Dressing
3 tablespoons Honey, Wild or Sage
2 tablespoons Mustard, Stone Ground Dijon
1/4 cup Mango Balsamic Vinegar (see note)
Kosher Salt to taste

To Make the Dressing
In a small bowl whisk together the honey, mustard, vinegar, and salt.

Just before serving, give the dressing a good whisking to blend. Drizzle some of the dressing over the salad, with more dressing on the side to use as desired.

Note: This Balsamic Vinegar is a white vinegar infused with the sweetness of Mangoes that goes well will so many recipes. If you want the very best, I get mine from Branch and Vine.

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Wishing everyone a glorious day. Love to hear your thoughts on anything and everything.