Recipe: Fresh Strawberry & Spinach Salad

This story originally appeared in the Spring issue of Cincinnati Health & Life Magazine

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup pecans
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 2 Tbs. sugar
• 2 tsp. poppy seeds
• ½ tsp. dry mustard
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• ¾ cup grapeseed oil
• 6 cups baby spinach leaves
• 2 cups strawberries, hulled and halved

Directions:

In a dry frying pan, toast the pecans over mediumlow heat, stirring, until fragrant and starting to brown, about 5 minutes. Pour onto a plate to cool, then coarsely chop and set aside.

To make the vinaigrette, in a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, sugar, poppy seeds, dry mustard, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the oil in a thin stream, whisking constantly until the dressing is well blended.

In a large bowl, toss together the spinach, strawberries and pecans. Add half of the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat. Add more vinaigrette as needed (you may not need all of it), and serve.

It is easy to love this popular combination. Light and delicious, it is best prepared when strawberries are at their early-summer peak. The dressing is slightly sweet, and the poppy seeds and chopped pecans add nice texture. Goat cheese, ricotta salata or feta cheese would make a great addition.