Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Today we had a bridal shower for my cousin and I was asked to make a salad. I wanted to make something summery, and the first idea that came to mind was a spinach and strawberry salad. I searched online one day and found a bunch of recipes, and decided to go with Paula Deen's recipe. I was making this salad for 40 people, so I bought 3 containers of baby spinach and 2 containers of strawberries from Costco. I used two large cucumbers from Costco as well. Each container of spinach, once washed, fit into a large bowl. I mixed two of the bowls for the party and left the third unmixed in case I didn't need it so I could use the spinach for something else. We ended up only using about a bowl and a half, so I had plenty of everything left over, both mixed and unmixed.

Since Paula Deen's recipe is for a smaller amount of salad, I searched online for another dressing recipe. I found one that looked good and doubled it, using apple cider vinegar. I thought it complimented the salad well.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

                                                         

1 (10-12 ounce) package baby spinach, washed and dried

1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1 pint strawberries, hulled and quartered

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced

DRESSING:

½ lemon, juiced

2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/3 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

In large salad bowl, add the spinach, almonds, strawberries, and cucumber and toss together.

For the dressing: In a small glass bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the lemon juice, vinegar, sugar, oil, and poppy seeds. Whisk together in the glass bowl or shake if using a jar.

Dress the salad right before serving.

The dressing that I actually made is as follows (this is a double recipe):

DRESSING:

1 cup vegetable oil

½ cup white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

½ cup white sugar

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and whisk together.

Photos by JoJo