Strawberry Salad

[nverland]

Strawberry Salad
Prep Time 15 mins Total Time 15 mins Servings: 6 -8, as a side

Ingredients

*Salad
10 ounces mixed green lettuce or fresh spinach
1-pound strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
4 clementines, peeled and separated into segments
3/4 cup dried cranberries
3/4 cup pistachios, shelled and coarsely chopped
3/4 cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)

*Dressing
1/2 cup good quality olive oil
3-4 clementines (2 teaspoons zest and 4 tablespoons juice)
1 large lemon (1/2 teaspoon zest and 2 tablespoons juice)
2 and 1/2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt


*Instructions
In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce, strawberries, clementines, dried and cranberries.
For the dressing: combine all of the ingredients together except for the oil in a food processor or blender. Blend until all ingredients are well incorporated and zest has been broken down. Slowly add in the oil in a steady stream and pulse until just combined and emulsified. Avoid blending the oil in for an extended period of time as it can make the oil taste metallic.
Right before enjoying, add the dressing (add to taste -- you may not need/want it all), pistachios, and feta cheese. Do not add pistachios, cheese, or dressing to any salad you'll have leftover (it doesn't sit/store well together). Toss and enjoy immediately.

*Notes
With all salads, adjust the amount of fixings and how much dressing you use to your personal preference!

*Salad variation ideas
Nuts: instead of pistachios, toasted pecans or almonds would be delicious. For a sweeter salad, use chopped candied pecans.
Fruit: pretty much any berry would work in this salad – raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries all pair well with citrus.
Cheese: feta or blue cheese would work well in this salad!
Add protein: grill some chicken, slice it up, and add it to the salad.
Add healthy fats: a chopped or sliced avocado would be a great filling ingredient to add.
Dressing: for a less sweet dressing, you can use the balsamic dressing below.

*Balsamic dressing
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup good quality olive oil
Fine sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper

Instructions
Add all the ingredients together in a mason jar. Add salt and pepper to taste; I add 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and then add more to the salad overall. Shake the dressing well right before pouring over the salad.