This fresh green salad gets a pop of color and vitamins from sliced strawberries, and is mixed with creamy goat cheese and basil vinaigrette for extra flavor.
"If I actually liked the ingredients in there, that salad would look really good," said my 9-year old son as I was photographing this recipe. Umm...thank you? Well, this might not be a hit with the under 10 crowd, but I think this strawberry and goat cheese green salad would be a welcome addition to any Easter meal. After all, we all need something healthy to offset the pounds of Easter cookies and chocolate eggs we are bound to consume. Whether you celebrate with a brunch of Heath Bar Cinnamon Rolls and Hot Cross Buns, or a more traditional meal of ham and Scalloped Potatoes with Three Cheeses, this light and easy dish boasts the flavors of spring.
The basil vinaigrette follows the basic principles outlined in How to: Make a Vinaigrette, using a ratio of vinegar and oil and an earthy flavor from fresh herbs. The bright green dressing comes together in minutes by being pureed in a blender. The rest of the salad is a simple combination of red leaf lettuce, sweet strawberries, tangy goat cheese and toasted almonds.
The recipe:
The vinaigrette:
In a blender or mini food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, white wine vinegar and olive oil. Puree until fairly smooth (small pieces of basil are okay). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The salad:
In a small skillet set over medium heat, toast slivered almonds until light golden brown, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully so that the almonds do not burn.
In a large bowl, combine torn red leaf lettuce, sliced strawberries, almonds and crumbled goat cheese. Toss with desired amount of basil vinaigrette. You will not need all of the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
Other green salads with fruit:
Spinach Salad with Chicken, Orange & Avocado
Spinach Salad with Fuyu Perismmon, Jicama & Avocado w/Miso Dresing
Printable Recipe
Strawberry & Goat Cheese Green Salad with Basil Vinaigrette Recipe
Ingredients
The vinaigrette:
- 10 large fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
The Salad:
- â…“ cup sliced almonds
- 6 cups packed torn red lettuce leaves
- 1 ¼ cups sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled
Instructions
The Vinaigrette:
- In a blender or mini food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, white wine vinegar and olive oil. Puree until fairly smooth (small pieces of basil are okay). Season to taste with salt and pepper.
The Salad:
- In a small skillet set over medium heat, toast slivered almonds until light golden brown, stirring occasionally. Watch carefully so that the almonds do not burn.
- In a large bowl, combine torn red leaf lettuce, sliced strawberries, almonds and crumbled goat cheese. Toss with desired amount of basil vinaigrette. You will not need all of the vinaigrette. Serve immediately.
EatLiveRun
beautiful salad, Dara! I love the color of that basil vinegarette!
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
Love this salad! Light, colorful and simply gorgeous!
Beverly
I love your son's comment! I, for one, cannot wait to try this salad.
brandi
well, I think it sounds fantastic! I love strawberries on salads.
briarrose
Wonderful mix of flavors. I am so on a strawberry kick lately so this is perfect.
Drick
love a tart salad with strawberry vinaigrette so I know I would like this one with the mild goat cheese and fresh berries too
Happy Easter and holiday cooking to you and yours Dara...
Heather (Heather's Dish)
i have the most incredible strawberries in my house right now and all the fixings for this salad! it looks and sounds amazing!
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend
Another great salad.. I love to try new ones as a diet gets really boring this is just the one I needed thank you and Happy Easter to you and your family!
Sinful Southern Sweets
Very nice! Love the colors and flavor combos!
Katrina
This salad is lovely! I love the dressing - it's so unique for a salad like this.