Spinach-Strawberry Salad

If you liked the recipe I shared for Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette, give this one a try too. The Worcestershire sauce adds a unique flavor to the dressing and with only two ingredients it is fast and fabulous. My sister, Renee, gave me this recipe years ago.

Spinach-Strawberry Salad

2 bunches spinach

2 pints strawberries (quartered)

Dressing:

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/2 cup vegetable oil (I use canola oil.)

1/4 cup vinegar (I use white vinegar.)

Mom's Fruit Salad

This salad is great all year round. It is the fruit salad I remember as a child. When my mom was a girl she had this salad with canned or bottled fruit. In those days fresh fruit during the Winter was nonexistent. It's nice to be able to mix and match now.

Mom's Fruit Salad

This version includes:

strawberries

blueberries

mangos

pineapple

mandarin oranges

sour cream

marshmallows

Consider adding:

raspberries, pears, peaches, banana, etc.

Basically, you can use any type of fruit you choose. If you do use canned or bottled fruit be sure and drain it first. Marshmallows add a touch of sweetness, and juice from the cut pineapple sweetens up the sour cream. No other sugar is needed.

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

My friend, Pamela, introduced me to this salad at Sara and Tyler's wedding. I absolutely love it. The strawberry vinaigrette made with white balsamic vinegar is the key. The recipe is from epicurious.com and you can print it here.

Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

2 1/2 tablespoons strawberry vinegar

3 tablespoons olive oil

5 ounces baby spinach (8 cups)

1/2 pound strawberries, cut lengthwise into thick slices (1 1/2 cups)

1/2 cup pecan halves (3 1/2 ounces), toasted and cooled

Whisk together vinegar, a rounded 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking well. Put spinach, strawberries, and pecans in a large bowl and toss with just enough vinaigrette to lightly coat.

Strawberry Vinegar
1 pound strawberries trimmed (3 cups)
2 tablespoons sugar if berries are not sweet
2 cups white balsamic vinegar

Pulse berries with sugar (if using) in a food processor until finely chopped and very juicy. Transfer to a bowl and add vinegar. Let stand 1 hour. Strain vinegar through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids. (Vinegar keeps, covered and chilled, 1 week.)

Julie's notes: I was very happy to find white balsamic vinegar in my regular grocery store. I halve the strawberry vinegar and use the extra to make more salad dressing throughout the week.