Fresh Spring Spinach Salad

This salad is perfect for the spring and summertime. It’s super light and very delicious with simple ingredients. It’s great to bring to a summer BBQ or just enjoy by yourself or with your family on a warm sunny night. It’s super refreshing and light while still being delicious and filling as a side to a meal. I love adding chicken or sauteed tofu into the salad to add some protein.

The spinach provides vitamin K, fibre and phosphorus, the strawberries add loads of vitamin C, the goat cheese adds calcium, and the chicken or tofu adds protein. It’s a great balanced salad with all sorts of nutrients and if you prefer to enjoy your protein source on the side, this salad is a great addition to many BBQ types of meat such as steak, chicken or pork. For a vegan option, substitute the goat cheese with nutritional yeast. Although it’s not as creamy, it will add the cheesy flavour you’re looking for.

Try this homemade dressing on your salad:

• 1 part balsamic vinegar
• 3 parts olive oil
• Honey for sweetness to taste
• Dijon mustard to taste (you don’t need a lot, just used to bind the dressing)
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Let’s get into the recipe, here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• Spinach
• Goat cheese
• Strawberries
• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Toasted pecans
• Homemade dressing

Directions:

1. Make your homemade dressing.
2. Roast pecan in a small pan until slightly darkened
3. Prep all fruits and veggies for the salad.
4. Place all ingredients in a bowl, top with cheese and dressing and enjoy!