Name: Fresh Loaded Strawberry Spinach Salad with Caramelized Pecans
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups baby spinach (about 180g), fresh and crisp; 1 pint fresh strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced; 1 cup pecans (about 120g), roughly chopped; 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (can substitute coconut sugar); 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided (extra virgin); 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Description

A vibrant salad featuring fresh strawberries, crisp baby spinach, and crunchy caramelized pecans, perfect for warm days and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

6 cups baby spinach (about 180g), fresh and crisp
1 pint fresh strawberries (about 300g), hulled and sliced
1 cup pecans (about 120g), roughly chopped
2 tablespoons granulated sugar (can substitute coconut sugar)
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided (extra virgin)
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Caramelize the pecans: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped pecans and toast them for 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently until they become fragrant.
Add sugar: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the toasted pecans, stirring constantly for about 3-4 minutes until the sugar melts and coats the pecans in a glossy caramel. Transfer them to parchment paper to cool.
Prepare strawberries: Rinse and hull the strawberries, slicing them into thin pieces.
Make the dressing: Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey (or maple syrup), and Dijon mustard. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, combine baby spinach and sliced strawberries. Drizzle about two-thirds of the dressing over the greens and toss gently. Add the caramelized pecans and toss lightly again.
Taste your salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately for the best experience!

Notes

For the freshest taste, combine ingredients right before serving. Store components separately for best results.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No cooking required
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 5g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 0mg