Description
A vibrant and refreshing Spinach and Fruit Salad dressed with a zesty maple-lime vinaigrette. This colorful salad combines fresh baby spinach, sweet fruits like strawberries and oranges, crunchy almonds, and tangy feta cheese, making it perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 5 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
- 1 cup strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 orange, peeled and segmented
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
For the Maple-Lime Dressing
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, fresh lime juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard until fully emulsified. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Toast the almonds: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the sliced almonds for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Assemble the salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the baby spinach, sliced strawberries, and orange segments. Drizzle the prepared maple-lime dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the toasted almonds and crumbled feta cheese on top of the dressed salad for added texture and flavor.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy this fresh and flavorful spinach and fruit salad as a nutritious side or light meal.
Notes
- To make this salad vegan, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- For extra protein, consider adding grilled chicken breast or chickpeas.
- Ensure the spinach is well dried to prevent a watery salad.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh; however, you can prepare the dressing and toast almonds ahead of time.
