Picture this: a decadent, mouth-watering salad that combines the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors, bursting with the fresh juicy strawberries, peppery arugula , creamy feta and fragrant fennel. Hungry yet?
The Strawberry Fennel Salad is not just a foodie fantasy, but a delightful reality that you can create in your own kitchen. So grab a fork and let's dig into the delicious world of strawberry fennel salad.
When the weather starts to warm, salads sound so tasty. Plus there is the knowledge that swim suit season will be coming soon. haha!
You can mix this salad in a bowl or lay it out on a platter like in the photos for a dramatic presentation. It doesn't take that much extra time.
Homemade Salad Dressing
Premade salad dressings have been available commercially for over 100 years. They are so ingrained in the American psyche that the idea of making your own seems archaic.
But, not only are they easily made, they taste so much better than the commercial varieties. And you can alter the ingredients to suit your tastes.
For vinaigrettes you will need oil, vinegar and an emulsifier, something that will help the oil and vinegar to stay blended. In this case it is a little bit of Dijon mustard. Another mustard can be used, but I would avoid the bright yellow kind because of the color against the white fennel. Honey is another common emulsifier choice.
Ingredients
Such a simple combination of ingredients for such a flavorful salad. And all should be easy to find in spring time.
For the dressing you will need:
- olive oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- rice wine (or other mild vinegar)
- Dijon mustard (or whole grain mustard)
- Italian seasonings
- salt and pepper to taste
The salad consists of:
- spinach
- arugula
- fennel bulb
- strawberry
- feta
- basil, optional, but highly recommended
Instead of the spinach and arugula, you can use a "spring mix" which will contain both as well as a few other baby lettuce varieties.
More Spring Salads from #OurFamilyTable
Eat seasonally for the best taste (and most nutrition). Here are some delightful salads to enjoy in the spring:
Spring Salads
- Best broccoli salad from Jen Around the World
- Blistered Tomato Salad with Pan Seared Scallops from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
- Blueberry Grape Salad from Creative Cynchronicity
- Greek Chicken Salad with Creamy Dressing from Hezzi-D's Recipe Box
- Grilled Nectarine and Feta Salad from Magical Ingredients
- Raspberry Vinaigrette from Art of Natural Living
- Roasted Chickpea Spring Salad from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
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Recipe
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Salad Ingredients:
- 2 cups baby spinach (rinsed and patted dry)
- 2 cups baby arugula (rinsed and patted dry)
- 1 medium fennel bulb (trimmed and thinly sliced)
- 1 cups strawberries (sliced)
- 4 ounces Feta cheese (crumbled)
- sprigs fresh basil (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Italian Salad Dressing
- Whisk together all ingredients in a glass or other non-reactive bowl. Adjust seasonings if needed.¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
Strawberry Fennel Salad
- Arrange the spinach and arugula on a serving platter and top with sliced fennel, strawberries, and Feta cheese.2 cups baby spinach, 2 cups baby arugula, 1 medium fennel bulb, 1 cups strawberries, 4 ounces Feta cheese
- Drizzle dressing over salad, garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve,sprigs fresh basil
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more salad recipes
Until next time, happy eating!
~Audrey
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