Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Dressing
A fresh strawberry salad with mixed greens, mandarin oranges, and a simple homemade balsamic dressing, finished with Parmesan and croutons.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 4 cups spring salad mix
- 2 cups baby arugula
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup yellow pepper strips
- 11 ounces canned mandarin orange segments well drained
For the dressing:
- 1 shallot finely minced
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
For serving:
- Croutons
- Shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the salad mix, arugula, strawberries, pepper strips, and orange segments. Toss well.4 cups spring salad mix, 2 cups baby arugula, 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries, 1 cup yellow pepper strips, 11 ounces canned mandarin orange segments
- In a medium bowl, add the shallot, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add the oil in a slow, steady stream whisking all the time.1 shallot, ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, Pinch of salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss to coat.
- Serve garnished with croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese.Croutons, Shaved Parmesan cheese
Notes
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best flavor. Berries should be fully red with no white or green areas and have a noticeable fragrance.
- Drain the mandarin orange segments very well.
- If you prefer a milder flavor, substitute baby spinach for the arugula.
- Finely mince the shallot so it blends smoothly into the dressing.
- When making the dressing, add the olive oil slowly while whisking continuously. This helps the dressing emulsify and prevents separation.
- Add croutons and Parmesan cheese just before serving so they maintain their texture.
- This salad is best served immediately after dressing. If preparing ahead, store the salad and dressing separately and combine just before serving.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1795IU | Vitamin C: 127mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 1mg
