A Deliciously Simple Strawberry Vinaigrette for Summer Salads!
A simple strawberry vinaigrette is one of my favorite summer staples! Have you ever noticed how your taste buds change with the seasons? With the arrival longer, warmer days, it bring an abundance of fresh fruits and veggies. For this reason, a deliciously simple strawberry vinaigrette is perfect to dress up that fresh produce!
Oftentimes, salads are a convenient and healthy staple for many people. Afterall, clinical studies have proven that eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily is associated with reduced mortality. Learn more Here. However, salads can easily become monotonous if left unchecked. This strawberry vinaigrette offers just the right amount of sweetness and tang. Continue reading to learn how to add some oomph to your daily lunch salad this spring and summer season!
Roadmap for a Balanced Salad!
Salads…. Sky’s the limit to the array of ingredients available for a salad! I like to think of my bowl of salad as a masterpiece of my imagination! Fresh and in season is always best. However, experiment with the rest! Allow yourself the opportunity to create a salad worthy of a fine restaurant. Below is the roadmap I use to make a balanced salad full of flavor and nutrition.
“Fruit is Nature’s Candy…”
The Base
- Salad Greens – After all, it wouldn’t be a salad without them! Explore the options for the base of your salad. Some of my favorites are spring baby greens, romaine, spinach, baby kale, and even shredded cabbages.
- Veggies – Again, remember the season! Choose what is fresh now. For example, with it being spring season, carrots, radishes, asparagus, podded peas, to name a few. Avocado is also a great option due to it offering an abundance of fiber and healthy fats.
- Protein – Oftentimes, grilled chicken is the go-to for adding healthy protein to a salad. In addition, grilled fish, shrimp, turkey, and boiled eggs. However, if you are looking for vegetarian options, some of my favorites are chickpeas, beans, tofu, quinoa, edamame, and lentils.
- Cheese – Here’s where you can really get creative and make a big impact on your salads! Cheeses such as feta, goat cheese, and blue cheese crumbles offer a pungent kick to the palate! On the contrary, if you are looking for something a little more reserved, try Parmesan, Gouda, Swiss, and cheddar.
The Extra's
- Something sweet – Adding a touch of sweetness to a salad ties the flavors together nicely. Various options are: fresh fruits, such as strawberries, apples, citrus, mango, and pear. Dried fruits, such as cranberries, raisins, and dates. Finally, if you would like to add some pizzazz to your bowl of deliciousness, add pomegranate seeds, dried cherries, or granola!
- Something crunchy – In the same way, something sweet adds that extra punch of flavor, something crunchy gives your taste buds a burst of texture! Use this opportunity to get creative. Skip the traditional croutons with nutritious nuts. Some options to try are walnuts, pecans, almonds, and cashews. In addition, sunflower, hemp, and pumpkin seeds are great choices as well.
Simple Strawberry Vinaigrette Loaded with Powerhouse Ingredients!
This strawberry vinaigrette is packed full of flavor and nutrition! Nutritious and flavorful options can go hand in hand! Continue reading to see the health benefits of each ingredient below:
- Organic Strawberries – Loaded with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – Excellent source of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Promotes skin and gut health, improves cholesterol, and is loaded with antioxidants.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Honey – Loaded with antioxidants, reduces inflammation, cough suppressant, promotes wound healing.
- Lemon Juice – Loaded with Vitamin C, improves kidney function, assists with iron absorption, and encourages healthy blood pressure.
The Best Strawberry Vinaigrette
Equipment
- 1 Blender or Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries fresh organic
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin or light
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar organic raw (with mother)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp honey or agave
- ½ tbsp lemon juice fresh
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Wash and cut off stems of strawberries. Place strawberries, olive oil, apple cider and balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a blender.
- Blend all ingredients well.
- Shake well before each use. Store covered in refrigerator for up to one week.
Notes
Final Thoughts
Salads are a huge part of my diet and always have been. Experimenting with ingredients and dressings has always been something I enjoyed. In addition, growing a vegetable garden has reinforced my salad habits. Particularly, the connection I now have to my food by growing it. For these reasons, I love to write blog articles related to building beautiful salads for the seasons. I hope you enjoy this recipe and it becomes a warm weather staple for you and your family! Learn more about my vegetable garden Here.
Interested in more healthy recipes? Check out our growing list Here! See you in the next blog post!
