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Strawberry Crunch Salad Celebration

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Celebrate summer with this refreshing Strawberry Crunch Salad Celebration! Packed with sweet strawberries, creamy goat cheese, crunchy pistachios, and a tangy champagne vinaigrette, this vibrant salad is as delightful to the eyes as it is to the taste buds. Perfect for any occasion, this light, nutritious, and flavorful salad is a showstopper that will impress your guests.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Salad:

⅔ cup sliced or slivered almonds

3 tbsp sugar

10 oz arugula greens

8 oz strawberries, hulled and chopped or quartered

1 avocado, chopped

2 oz crumbled goat cheese

⅓ cup roasted, salted pistachios, chopped

For the Champagne Vinaigrette:

3 tbsp champagne vinegar

Juice of ½ lemon

2 tbsp honey

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, freshly grated

Pinch of kosher salt & pepper

½ cup olive oil

Instructions

  • Toast the Almonds: In a nonstick skillet, toast sliced or slivered almonds with sugar over medium heat. Stir often to prevent burning. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the sugar has melted and coats the almonds. Transfer to parchment paper to cool.

  • Make the Vinaigrette: In a bowl or jar, whisk together champagne vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, freshly grated garlic, kosher salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while whisking to combine into a smooth vinaigrette.

  • Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine arugula, strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, and pistachios. Once the candied almonds are cooled, add them to the bowl.

  • Dress and Toss: Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad just before serving. Toss gently to combine all ingredients and coat with the vinaigrette. Garnish with extra pistachios or goat cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • Variations:

    • Add Protein: Top with grilled chicken, shrimp, or salmon for a heartier meal.

    • Berry Mix: Add blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries for a mixed berry twist.

    • Nut Swap: Swap pistachios for walnuts, pecans, or almonds for a different nutty flavor.

    • Vegan Version: Omit goat cheese and use vegan cheese or avocado to keep it plant-based while still creamy.

    • Crispy Tofu: Add crispy tofu cubes to make it vegan and add extra protein.

  • Storage/Reheating: Best served fresh, but store salad ingredients (without dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 day. Store the dressing separately. Candied almonds can be stored for a few days in an airtight container.

  • Author: Sophia
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Salad, Side Dish Healthy
  • Method: Tossing and Dressing
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian