Berry Bliss Spinach Salad with Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook

Fancy a salad that's both dead easy and proper tasty? This spinach berry salad is your answer. Honestly, it's like sunshine in a bowl, bursting with sweet and tangy flavours.

Brief Overview

The spinach salad with berries is a modern twist. Its origin is the healthy lifestyle trend. It's super simple, ready in under 20 minutes. This recipe yields four servings.

Main Benefits

This salad is packed with vitamins. It is also a good source of energy. Perfect for a light lunch or a summer garden party.

What makes this berry spinach salad recipe special is the vibrant mix of flavors and textures.

Why You'll Love This Berrylicious Salad

Right then, let's talk about why this spinach berry salad will become your new favourite. I swear, it's like a party in your mouth.

You know those days when you want something light, fresh, and not at all boring? This is it .

The poppy seed vinaigrette? Oh my gosh! It elevates the whole thing. It is tangy, sweet, and addictive. It all comes together in a symphony of flavours.

Trust me, even people who think they hate salad will gobble this up.

I remember once, I made this for a barbecue. My mate Sarah, who claims to "hate anything green", kept coming back for more.

She even asked for the recipe! Honestly, that's when I knew this fresh berry salad was a winner.

From Garden to Table: Easy Peasy

It's as easy as pie, honestly! The best part? It takes hardly any time to whip up. You need to wash the spinach, chop the berries.

Then you whisk together the dressing. Sorted!

You can also adapt it to your liking. Feeling fancy? Add some crumbled feta or goat cheese. Want some extra crunch? Try some candied pecans instead. Play around with the ingredients.

This is all about creating something delicious. It's so easy that even I can't mess it up, haha! Now, let's dive into what you'll need to make this easy summer salad a reality.

Ingredients & Equipment for the Best Spinach Berry Salad

Right then, let's talk about what you'll need to make this amazing spinach berry salad . I promise, it's easier than making a cuppa! We're aiming for a proper summer salad recipe that's both healthy and dead easy.

Main Ingredients: The Starry Line-Up

Here's what you'll need for this delightful berry spinach salad recipe .

• Fresh Spinach: 10 ounces ( 280g ). Look for vibrant green leaves, avoiding anything wilted. The fresher, the better.
• Strawberries: 1 cup ( 150g ), hulled and sliced. Sniff them! They should smell sweet and fruity.
• Blueberries: 1 cup ( 150g ). Plump and juicy is what you want.
• Raspberries: 1/2 cup ( 75g ). Handle them carefully; they bruise easily.
• Pecans: 1/2 cup ( 50g ), roughly chopped. You can buy them pre-chopped.
• Optional Cheese: 1/4 cup ( 30g ) crumbled feta or goat cheese. This adds a lovely tang.

Seasoning Notes: A Little Zing

The poppy seed vinaigrette is the magic touch. It makes this a great spinach salad with berries .

• Olive Oil: 1/4 cup ( 60ml ), extra virgin.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: 2 tablespoons ( 30ml ). This gives a lovely tang.
• Honey (or Maple Syrup): 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ). Adjust to your liking.
• Dijon Mustard: 1 tablespoon ( 15ml ). Adds a subtle kick.
• Poppy Seeds: 1 tablespoon ( 10g ).
• Salt: 1/4 teaspoon ( 1g ).
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon ( 0.5g ).

Don’t have apple cider vinegar? White wine vinegar works great. I have tried it before. Lemon juice will do the trick. For a pecan salad , you could also use candied pecans.

Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple

You don't need fancy gear to make this easy summer salad . Just the basics.

• Large Salad Bowl: For tossing everything together.
• Small Skillet: For toasting the pecans. A frying pan will do just fine.
• Whisk: For the vinaigrette.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons.
• Cutting Board.
• Knife.

If you don't have a whisk, a fork works too. Honestly, this healthy spinach salad is all about ease. Now, let's get cooking!. This fresh berry salad is calling our name!

Unleash Your Inner Salad Chef: Spinach Berry Salad Time

Honestly, who doesn't love a vibrant spinach berry salad on a sunny day? It's like a little taste of summer.

I'm talking sunshine in a bowl, mate! It's also an easy summer salad recipe. It hits all the right spots.

Sweet, tangy, and crunchy. Plus, it's healthy! Win-win, innit?

Let's dive into the nitty gritty of making this fresh berry salad . I’ll let you in on my sneaky kitchen shortcuts.

Plus, what you must definitely not do (burnt nuts the absolute worst!).

Prep Like a Pro: Your Spinach Berry Salad Mission Briefing

First, get everything prepped. This is what we call mise en place in fancy cooking terms. But don't be posh.

Just get organised! Wash and dry the spinach , hull and slice the strawberries, and measure out all your dressing ingredients.

To save time, you can buy pre-washed spinach. But, you know, give it a quick once over anyway, yeah? Nobody wants gritty salad.

Crafting Your Masterpiece: step-by-step Spinach Salad with Berries

Okay, listen up!

1. First, toast the pecans in a dry pan over medium heat for 3- 5 minutes . Keep them moving! Watch out for burning.
2. Next, whisk together the vinaigrette. Mix olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon, poppy seeds, salt, and pepper.
3. Then, grab your spinach and berries. Gently toss them in a large bowl.
4. After that, pour the dressing. Toss lightly to coat everything.
5. Sprinkle over those toasted pecans. Add crumbled feta, if you're feeling fancy.
6. Finally, eat immediately! You don't want a soggy salad.

Pro Tips for a Next Level Berry Salad with Spinach

Want to take your spinach salad with berries to the next level? Use high-quality olive oil. It makes a huge difference.

Also, don't dress the salad until just before serving. This prevents wilting. For a make-ahead option, prepare all the components separately.

Then, assemble everything just before serving. That way, you're guaranteed to enjoy your berry spinach salad recipe at its best.

And whatever you do, avoid buying pre-crumbled feta. Honestly, it tastes like sawdust!

This pecan salad is a crowd pleaser. Especially paired with that zingy poppy seed vinaigrette . It also works as one of your summer salad recipes ! And don't forget that this healthy spinach salad recipe is very versatile.

For example, you can add grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial meal. I reckon you'll be making this all summer long.

Enjoy!

Recipe Notes: Making Your Spinach Berry Salad Sing

Right then, let's dive into some extra bits about this spinach berry salad recipe . Honestly, a recipe is just a starting point, innit? We need to talk serving, storing, and jazzing it up a bit.

Serving Like a Pro

Plating and Presentation Ideas . Look, we all eat with our eyes first, don't we? So, make this berry spinach salad look banging.

Arrange the fresh berry salad artfully. Maybe create a wee tower of spinach with the berries cascading down. Sprinkle the pecan salad on top last so they don't get soggy.

A drizzle of extra poppy seed vinaigrette on the side never hurts.

Complementary Sides or Beverages . This easy summer salad is screaming out for some grilled chicken or fish. A nice bit of crusty bread to mop up the dressing is also a winner.

As for drinks? A chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc would be chef's kiss . Or if you're not on the booze, elderflower cordial is just the ticket.

Storing Secrets: Keepin' it Fresh

Refrigeration Guidelines . If you're not scoffing the whole lot in one go (which, fair enough, it's addictive), store it in an airtight container in the fridge.

But here's the thing: Don't dress it until just before serving! Otherwise, you'll end up with soggy healthy spinach salad , and nobody wants that.

Freezing Options (If Applicable) . Nah, freezing this salad isn't a good idea. The spinach will go all weird and watery. The berries will get mushy. Just make it fresh, it's quick!

Reheating Instructions . Well, you don't reheat a salad, do you? Just take it out of the fridge a bit before you want to eat it, so it's not too cold.

Variations: Spice Things Up!

Dietary Adaptations . Need a vegan version? Easy peasy. Just swap the honey in the dressing for maple syrup or agave nectar.

And obviously, skip the feta or goat cheese. gluten-free? You're all good as it is!

Seasonal Ingredient Swaps . This summer salad recipes is fab with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. But in the autumn, you could use blackberries or even some sliced apples or pears.

Get creative! I often find myself adding grapes.

Nutrition Basics

Simplified Nutrition Information . This salad with fruit and spinach is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. The spinach is full of iron, and the berries are bursting with goodness.

The pecans add some healthy fats and protein.

Key Health Benefits . This spinach salad with berries is good for your heart, your skin, and your overall well being. Plus, it's blooming delicious!

Honestly, this berry salad with spinach is so easy to make and so versatile. Don't be afraid to play around with it and make it your own. You got this!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this spinach berry salad ahead of time?

While you can prep some components in advance, it's best to assemble the salad just before serving. You can wash and dry the spinach, toast the pecans, and prepare the vinaigrette ahead of time. However, dressing the salad too early will make the spinach wilt and the berries get soggy nobody wants a sad salad!

What other berries can I use in my spinach berry salad?

Feel free to get creative with your berries! Blackberries, or even some sliced stone fruit like peaches or plums work a treat when they're in season. Just remember that some berries, like blackberries, might stain a little more, so toss gently. Experimenting is half the fun!

I'm not a fan of poppy seeds. Can I still make the vinaigrette for the spinach berry salad?

Absolutely! The poppy seeds add a nice textural element, but they're not essential. Just leave them out of the vinaigrette. You might want to add a tiny pinch of dried herbs like thyme or oregano to give it a little extra somethin'-somethin'. The flavour will still be spot on!

How should I store leftover spinach berry salad?

Unfortunately, dressed salad doesn't keep very well. If you have leftovers, try to store them undressed. Keep the spinach and berries separate from the vinaigrette in airtight containers in the fridge. Even then, the spinach might lose some of its crispness. It's always best fresh, though!

Is this spinach berry salad healthy?

You bet your bottom dollar it is! This salad is packed with vitamins and antioxidants from the spinach and berries, plus healthy fats from the pecans and olive oil. Just be mindful of the amount of honey or maple syrup you use in the dressing.

A little goes a long way, and it helps keep the sugar content in check, making it a truly guilt free pleasure.