Recipe: Strawberry Salad with Easy Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

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I know they say you can't make friends with salad - but I feel like salad relationships are conditional. You see, whilst I'm definitely not going to be friends with a boring regular old salad, I'll definitely be friends with a salad loaded with toppings and delicious mix ins. 

Actually, let's scrap that. Friends don't eat friends because that's called cannibalism.... and if your friend happens to be a salad... well... er... um... good on you! 

This salad isn't my friend (luckily there are some humans on this planet who like me so I don't have to talk to produce!), however, it is ridiculously delicious. 

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When I first started making this salad, Jesse would give me the look every time I made it. 

And no, I'm not talking about the blue steel or a love-filled look. I'm talking about the oh no, here she goes again.... at what point do I need to check my wife into the nuthouse.... kinda look. 

You see, strawberries may not be your usual salad topping - but trust me when I tell you they're delicious. 

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It's the perfect mix of tastes and textures with sweet strawberries, creamy avocado, crunchy pecans (or walnuts), salty feta and a delicious easy balsamic vinaigrette recipe to mix through it all. 

Best of all? It looks super impressive so it's the perfect salad to bring along to lunches or get togethers when you're asked to bring a salad but don't want to bring the same old same old ;) 

So let me share the recipe with you! >> 

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Strawberry Salad with Easy Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

serves one or a crowd - make as little or as much as you like

low fat, gluten free, clean eating recipe, egg free, grain free

For the Salad:

Use as much or as little as you like - we never use exact measurements 

Baby spinach leaves, washed and drained

Strawberries, sliced 

Cucumber, sliced 

Avocado, sliced 

Feta cheese, crumbled 

Raw pecans or walnuts 

For the Balsamic Vinaigrette: 

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 

2 tbsp water 

1 tbsp rice bran oil or olive oil 

1 tsp dijon mustard 

1 tsp honey 

• Whisk together all of your vinaigrette ingredients and set aside. If only making a small portion, pour your vinaigrette into a jar or container and only use as much as needed. This will keep for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. If you want to make things really easy, add all the ingredients to your jar, seal the lid and shake it up rather than whisking!
• To assemble the salad, toss your spinach leaves, strawberries, cucumber and walnuts with the desired amount of dressing (use as much or as little as you like) and top your salad with avocado slices and feta crumbles. 
• Serve and enjoy!

But tell me, are you a salad fan? 

What are your favourite salad ingredients?

And what's your favourite kind of salad dressing?

I never used to like salad dressing, however, now if I feel like something different I always use either this balsamic vinaigrette or a caramelised balsamic. Yum!

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