Description
This Strawberry Crunch Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette is a refreshing and vibrant dish combining sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements. Featuring fresh strawberries, mixed greens, crumbled feta, toasted almonds, and a homemade champagne vinaigrette, it’s perfect as a light lunch or an elegant side salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup mixed greens
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Champagne Vinaigrette Dressing
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash and slice the fresh strawberries, then set them aside for later use.
- Prepare Greens: Wash and dry the mixed greens thoroughly, then place them in a large salad bowl to create the base of your salad.
- Add Feta Cheese: Crumble the feta cheese evenly over the mixed greens for a creamy, salty flavor.
- Add Onions: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the bowl with the greens and feta, providing a mild pungency and crunch.
- Toast Almonds: In a small pan over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds while stirring occasionally until they turn golden brown and emit a fragrant aroma. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Make Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
- Dress Salad: Pour the champagne vinaigrette over the salad just before serving to keep the greens fresh.
- Toss Salad: Gently toss the salad to evenly coat the greens, feta, and onions with the dressing.
- Add Strawberries: Place the sliced strawberries on top of the salad and give it another gentle toss to distribute them throughout.
- Top with Almonds: Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds on top for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshness and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- For a nuttier flavor, toast the almonds until they are just golden, but be careful not to burn them.
- You can substitute mixed greens with baby spinach or arugula based on your preference.
- If champagne vinegar is available, use it instead of balsamic vinegar for a more authentic champagne vinaigrette.
- To make the salad vegan, omit feta cheese or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Prepare the dressing ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Be gentle when tossing the salad to avoid crushing the strawberries and bruising the greens.
