• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

La Bella Vita Cucina

delicious | beautiful | Italian | inspiration

  • Home
  • About
    • Start Here!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Media
      • Media
      • Featured On
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Shop
  • Contact
Home » Spring Salad with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Spring Salad with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette

May 28, 2011 30 Comments


Spring is such a wonderful season for garden-fresh salads that are perfect for luncheons, brunches, and teas . . . and most importantly for daily enjoyment.  I need my greens, folks!  Fresh spring berries add such a wonderful flavor element to a savory salad, whether fresh or in a vinaigrette.  Strawberries, in particular, are one of my favorite ways to enhance a spring salad.

There is literally a plethora of recipes in which strawberries play a starring role in side salads of fresh greens.  After reading and researching many of those recipes as usual, I just developed my own version of both the ingredients of the salad itself, but most importantly, the vinaigrette.  This recipe knocked my socks off!  I was so blown away by how delicious this spring fresh salad is, that I will, without a doubt, make this over and over again!  Even my ranch dressing husband enjoyed it without a negative comment!

A big WOWZA for this newly developed recipe in my repertoire!  Thank you sweet strawberries for your fresh inspiration!  And oh yes, thank you balsamico vinegar for the tremendous foundation for the vinaigrette!  Simply delicioso!

.
.
.

Spring Salad with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Spring Salad with Strawberries and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients

  • 1/8 cup sugar (you can also substitute a few Tbsp. of honey if you prefer)
  • 3/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • pinch of paprika
  • 1 tsp. fresh garlic, finely minced
  • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/8 tsp. dry mustard
  • 3 Tbsp. minced red onion
  • 10 oz. fresh mixed ‘mesclun’ or spring lettuce or baby spinach
  • 1 quart strawberries – cleaned, hulled and sliced
  • 1 – 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh bacon, fully cooked/browned and then chopped/crumbled
  • For some protein, add chunks of cooked chicken or turkey . . . add the amount that you prefer, one or two cups depending on how many you are serving.

Instructions

 
  1. Instructions
  2. With an immersion blender, mix together the sugar, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, paprika, Worcestershire sauce; dry mustard, salt, pepper, and red onion.
  3. Blend well until smooth.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, chopped eggs, almonds, crumbled cheese, and bacon.
  5. Or individually plate each salad to garnish the way that you prefer.
  6. Pour vinaigrette over salad, and toss. Or pass vinaigrette around to guests for their own dressing preference level.
  7.  
© Roz

Previous Post: « Pork Medallions and Spicy Pomegranate Blueberry Reduction Sauce
Next Post: Ooey, Gooey Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp »

Reader Interactions

 

I read each and every comment and respond to questions asap, so ask away!  As I always say, “If you’ve made a recipe, please take a photo and I’ll be happy to share your experience and photo of the recipe with all of us in this blog community!”

The kindness of giving a thumbs up 5-star rating is greatly appreciated!

~ Roz

Comments

  1. Pegasuslegend says

    May 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    Magnificent photo I just love how those strawberries jump out at me… just fresh and perfect!

    Reply
  2. Pam @ over50feeling40 says

    May 28, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    I will have to try your version…I make the exact ingrediants with low calorie poppyseed dressing and we love it, but it would be fun to mix things up a bit!

    Reply
  3. The Café Sucré Farine says

    May 28, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    This looks awesome, I’m always looking for fresh, fun new salads, thanks, Chris

    Reply
  4. redkathy says

    May 28, 2011 at 9:46 PM

    Strawberries and greens… Believe it or not Roz I never ate a salad with both! After seeing this, I’ll fix that real fast. Grocery run scheduled for tomorrow too. Strawberries just made the list.

    Your photos are stunning, as always.

    Reply
  5. Claudia says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    Wow Roz – gorgeous. And my antennae just went up – I made something very similar twice this week but love how you spiced it up. When strawberries are in season, my health quotient goes way up!

    Reply
  6. MM says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:27 PM

    Those photos are stunning! Great job!

    Reply
  7. Rebecca from Chow and Chatter says

    May 28, 2011 at 10:38 PM

    wow amazing salad thanks for posting and thanks for your amazing advice on my expat post means the world to me I admire and look up to you hope to meet you one day hugs Rebecca

    Reply
  8. Chris's Gourmet Fashion says

    May 28, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    So fresh, so good. I love that you added strawberries …

    Reply
  9. Big Dude says

    May 29, 2011 at 3:58 AM

    Looks delicious Roz and Bev loves salad with strawberries so I’ll be sure she tries this. With the ingredients in the dressing I believe I’d enjoy it as well.

    Reply
  10. JDeQ says

    May 29, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    YUM – all I had to do was to look at the photo and I was sold. What a wonderful lookig salad.

    Now if only we ever get some fresh straberries here . . . sigh

    Reply
  11. Suzanne says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    Oh I just love strawberries!!! I will definitely try this! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  12. bellini says

    May 29, 2011 at 9:41 AM

    I love the addition of the blue cheese Roz!I hope you’ve had a fantastic weekend!

    Reply
  13. Judy says

    May 29, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    This is my kind of salad. You used bleu cheese but I imagine that feta would work also. Balsamic dressing is perfect for the strawberries. Awesome.

    Reply
  14. Cyn says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:31 PM

    Absolutely lovely — I might have to make some vegan adjustments — but so worth it as it looks A-MAZING!!

    Lovin’ your blog!
    Hiya! Newest follower from The Follow Friday Over 40 Hop– please stop by and say hello! Would love if ya followed back!
    ♥cyn♥
    The Purple Goddess

    Reply
  15. Chris's Gourmet Fashion says

    May 29, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    Roz I just stopped by again to tell you that you have some awards waiting for you by my fruit salad http://www.gourmetfashion.net/2011/05/spring-fruit-salad-bowl.html

    Reply
  16. The Glamorous Gourmet says

    May 29, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    What a gorgeous salad that is just perfect for Spring! Your photos are beautiful – can’t wait to try this one:)

    Reply
  17. Linda says

    May 29, 2011 at 11:03 PM

    That photo – those strawberries – just an eye-popping photo. You really got creative with that dressing and it sounds delicious.

    Reply
  18. Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says

    May 30, 2011 at 6:36 AM

    Strawberries and balsamic vinegar seem to be a match made in heaven. Love the blue cheese in this and what would we do without our immersion blenders?

    Beautiful photos of a beautiful salad Roz. Hope you too are having a wonderful Memorial day weekend.
    Sam

    Reply
  19. BakerbyNature says

    May 30, 2011 at 8:21 AM

    I love every single ingredient in this salad! Looking forward to putting this together soon.

    Reply
  20. girlichef says

    May 30, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Oh my goodness, Roz…that is a gorgeous salad! I love it when a salad can make my mouth water 😉

    Reply
  21. Jamie says

    May 30, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    This salad looks amazing! Your photo is mouth watering. I love strawberries in salads and I love it with balsamic vinaigrette.

    Reply
  22. Misty says

    June 4, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    This looked so good that I am linking to you on my blog today!

    Reply
  23. Deb in Hawaii says

    June 13, 2011 at 4:56 AM

    Beautiful salad with the bacon, blue cheese and strawberries. Yum! Thanks so much for sharing it with Souper Sundays. 😉

    Reply
  24. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook says

    June 15, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Looks so good with so many flavors coming together to make one beautiful salad. Wish I had some for lunch right now!

    Reply
  25. Anonymous says

    March 3, 2012 at 6:59 PM

    I made my own version of this salad but followed the balsamic vinaigrette dressing recipe to the T and it was DELICIOUS. I took it to a dinner party and everyone commented on how good it was! I will never buy balsamic vinaigrette again!

    Reply
  26. Roz says

    March 3, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    Hi Anonymous!

    I am SO GLAD to hear that you enjoyed my vinaigrette! So far everyone likes it too! What an honor to know that you made it and that it will be a keeper for you!

    Roz

    Reply
  27. Anonymous says

    April 24, 2012 at 2:51 PM

    I have to admit that I found your recipe on pinterest and fell in love with it – i make this at least once a week at my house – my husband just shakes his head at me 🙂

    Thank you so much for a great recipe!!!
    Kelly

    Reply
  28. Roz says

    May 11, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    Hi Kelly,

    My husband just shakes his head at me too! I’m making this for my daughter when she visits this weekend and I know that she’ll also enjoy it! Thanks for the compliment and for stopping by!

    Roz

    Reply
  29. Beth says

    May 8, 2019 at 1:42 PM

    I have made this recipe and the balsamic vinaigrette many times but can’t locate the recipe anymore. Can anyone share it? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Roz says

      May 11, 2019 at 12:27 PM

      Hi Beth,

      I contacted a technician who was able to ‘restore’ the recipe card for the salad and balsamic vinaigrette recipe that you and I love so much. I am so happy to have found the recipe again! And I thank you for letting me know that it was missing! From now on, I am calling this “Beth’s Balsamico Vinaigrette” in my house!

      Happy cooking and buon appetito my friend!

      Ciao,
      Roz

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome!

Welcome!

Ciao, I'm Roz!
From my family's kitchens and restaurants in the U.S. and Italy, I share classic, delicious recipes . . . and always served with 'amore'! I'll help you master the art of cooking with easy to follow instructions and cooking tips. Get ready for the compliments! Buon Appetito!

Top Food Blog 2020

Looking for something special?

Most Popular

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Chopped Salad -- Copycat Recipe is SO DELICIOUS!!

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse Chopped Salad — Copycat Recipe is SO DELICIOUS!!

Classic Italian Minestrone Instant Pot

Classic Italian Minestrone Soup

Pastina Chicken Soup — Italian Childhood Memories

Copyright © 2010 - 2020 · La Bella Vita Cucina ·