Spinach/strawberry Salad

Total Time: 22 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 7 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 8 cups fresh baby spinach, about 8 ounces
• 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries, about 8 ounces
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon water
• 5 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (12 year old is best)
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons liquid honey
• 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
• 3 teaspoons finely chopped fresh chives
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Recipe

• 1 salad: break off root ends and tough stems (if any) and discard.
• 2 place spinach in a large bowl, add ice and cover with water; set aside to chill.
• 3 sugared almonds: in a small saucepan, combine almonds, sugar and water.
• 4 cook over medium-low heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until sugar is almost completely melted and nuts are golden, stirring occasionally- (there will be unmelted sugar on nuts).
• 5 spread almonds on a large plate; let cool and then break into small pieces.
• 6 (make ahead, as nuts can be stored in an air-tight container for about 3 days).
• 7 dressing: in a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, honey, poppy seeds and chives.
• 8 drizzle in olive oil and whisk until blended.
• 9 now whisk in dijon mustard until well blended.
• 10 whisk in salt and pepper to taste.
• 11 remove spinach leaves from water, pat dry on paper towelling and break into pieces.
• 12 add to a large mixing bowl.
• 13 add sliced strawberries and toss lightly to mix.
• 14 add dressing and toss gently until spinach and berries are lightly coated.
• 15 add almonds, toss lightly and serve.
• 16 tip: packaged ready-to-use baby spinach can be found in the produce section of most supermarkets.
• 17 there are 8 cups of baby spinach in (one- 6 ounce) package.
• 18 note: only make enough salad that will be eaten at this one time serving. the salad will get somewhat soggy if kept for another day.