Strawberry spinach salad with fresh mint, crumbled feta, and balsamic dressing bursts with summery flavor. Add a fresh and healthy salad to your weeknight routine, or serve to please a crowd at your next picnic or barbecue.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar and honey. Add a big pinch of kosher salt and black pepper (about 3/4 teaspoon each). Whisk to combine. Continue vigorously whisking as you begin to drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil. Slowly add oil until the dressing reaches your desired consistency, between 1/4 cup and 1/3 cup. Continue to whisk until the dressing is emulsified. Taste and add more salt and pepper to your liking.
Toast the almonds: In a small skillet set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Add the almonds and cook, tossing regularly, until they turn golden brown and become fragrant, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat immediately and set aside to cool while you work on the salad.
Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, shallots, and mint. Pour in the dressing and toss to ensure the dressing is well distributed, and the spinach is well coated.
Finish and serve: Add the feta cheese and toasted almonds and give it another gentle toss. Serve, topped with more feta to taste.
Notes
If your almonds are looking on the edge of too toasty, spread them on a plate to cool. They will continue to toast in the hot pan–even off the heat–so you don’t want to overdo it.
Strawberries are great little dirt collectors. To wash them, give them a bath in cold water. The water will get in all the nooks and crannies where the seeds live.