Happy First Day of SPRING!!!!
Woohoo! So happy Spring is finally here!! As you can tell from the past couple of weeks, that I have been on a spring berry kick! I can’t get enough, so be prepared for lots of berry recipes! I just love these sweet little darlings!! So with berries in mind and berry picking coming closer and closer to us, I am going to share with you a light, healthy, quick and easy Strawberry and Avocado Salad with a no oil Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing.
This salad is simply amazing! It’s so full of flavor considering there isn’t very many ingredients. You have the sweet goodness of strawberries, creaminess from the avocado and goat cheese and a slight tang from the strawberry balsamic dressing. Oh and I can’t forget the little added pepper taste from the arugula It’s simply fantastic and would make for a wonderful light lunch salad.
The dressing is very easy to make too! It’s made with fresh strawberries, balsamic vinegar and a pinch of stevia. I processed it all in the food processor and to make it seedless I ran it through my sieve. I used the back of my spoon to push all of the yumminess through. I don’t mind the seeds or if it were to be a little chunky, but not everyone is like me, so for you I made it nice and smooth.
- Dressing:
- ½ cup strawberries, roughly cut
- 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 dash stevia
- Salad:
- 4 cups spinach leaves,fresh
- 4 cups arugula
- ½ cup strawberries, sliced
- ⅓ cup avocado
- ⅓ cup blackberries
- ½ oz. goat cheese
- In a food processor or blender, add all of your dressing ingredients. Process until well blended. If dressing is chunky, place a sieve over a small bowl and pour dressing into the sieve. With a back of a spoon, push the strawberries through. Be sure to scrap the strawberry drippings from the backside of the sieve. Set aside.
- In a bowl add all of you salad ingredients, toss with dressing and divide between two plates.
I have to tell you I love this salad. I had it for dinner the other night and it was perfectly filling. I think it’s going to be the rest of this weeks lunch salads. If you wanted it to be your main dish, you could always toss in some grilled chicken. That would be a fabulous addition to this salad. Yum!!! Oh and since Easter is right around the corner, this would make a great salad to serve to your family or guests, or heck, just make it for yourself, like I did! 🙂
Well my Friends, time to celebrate the first day of Spring! Yah!! I am off to make another berry recipe!!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!!!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Marie @ Little Kitchie says
This dressing! YUM!!!
Amy @ Fun With Family and Fitness says
Yum!!!! What a beautifully delicious looking salad! All that and goat cheese, too????? FABULOUS!!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I discovered goat cheese about a year ago and I simply love it!!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria says
I love balsamic vinegar! Thank you for sharing this recipe…so colorful!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Your welcome! 🙂
Kelly says
Mmm strawberry salads are my favorite, this looks delicious! 🙂
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Mine too! I think I could eat strawberries on just about anything! 🙂
Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry says
Ahh strawberry salad…is it July yet?! Such a fresh and gorgeous looking salad!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Strawberry season is just starting now for us. I got some in my CSA box. Oddly enough July is peaches and plums. That’s one thing about living in CA. You get your produce early. Hoping for a good season. I heard there has been strawberry crop issues. Crossing fingers we have some this year!!
The Café Sucré Farine says
This is beautiful and sounds absolutely delicious. It’s so fresh and vibrant looking!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Chris! 🙂
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
Strawberry and avocado…ohhh yeah!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
lol, love the combo!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
i love the dressing.
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
Oh, this is perfect for spring! Puts me in the mood for warmer weather! 🙂 Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Thanks for linking back to the Gluten Free Fridays post!
Party starts tomorrow at 7:05 pm eastern time! Hope to see you there!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Cindy!!! I’m going to link up this week! Thank you for all that you do!