Strawberry Spinach Salad Mix (Print Version)

A refreshing blend of spinach, strawberries, candied pecans, and creamy poppy seed dressing.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 6 cups baby spinach, washed and dried
02 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
03 - 1/2 cup candied pecans
04 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
05 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

→ Candied Pecans

06 - 1/2 cup pecan halves
07 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
08 - 1 tablespoon butter

→ Poppy Seed Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon honey
12 - 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
13 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a small skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in pecan halves and granulated sugar, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes until pecans are evenly coated and sugar dissolves. Transfer to parchment paper to cool, then break apart.
02 - Combine olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, poppy seeds, Dijon mustard, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl or jar. Whisk or shake until thoroughly emulsified. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine baby spinach, sliced strawberries, red onion, and feta cheese if using. Add cooled candied pecans. Drizzle with poppy seed dressing just before serving and toss gently to coat evenly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 20 minutes, which means you can make it even on nights when you're too tired to think about cooking.
  • The candied pecans taste like you fussed over them, but honestly they're just butter, sugar, and a few minutes of stirring.
  • Fresh strawberries and spinach together somehow taste brighter than either one alone, and that poppy seed dressing ties it all together without weighing anything down.
02 -
  • Don't make the candied pecans more than a few hours ahead, or they'll start to soften and lose that satisfying crunch that makes them worth making in the first place.
  • The dressing is thick and sweet enough that a little goes a long way, so start with less than you think you need and add more if you want.
03 -
  • Keep the spinach and dressing separate until the last possible moment, or you'll end up with a wilted mess instead of a crisp, fresh salad.
  • If you're making this ahead for a crowd, prep everything separately and do the final toss right there in front of people so they see how simple and intentional it all is.
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