In Missouri, it’s strawberry season someplace! I love this salad and I truly believe your guests will be delighted, ‘if’ they are not meat and potatoes people! When I first wrote this recipe I served it for folks’ who don’t venture to far away from the standard fare. I had to eat most of this wonderful salad with my husband, Ervin! Why, probably because I prepared 2 salads that day, this one and a very ‘run of the mill’ lettuce salad. This sounds horrible, but next time I do a salad that’s a bit different I won’t put out another salad choice. It’s not to be ugly my friends, it is to truly move folks towards something new. They won’t take the step if there’s something familiar. Eating is quite a bit like life, many hang on to the same job year after year because it’s easier to stay put. Taking the step towards change is much more challenging.
Easter 2017, I replaced the chicken with a cheese. A feta, asiago or goat cheese would be a nice change out. The salad can run as a side salad but it also has the gumption to rule as the main entrée. The dressing: If there’s just a couple of you dining consider grilling a boneless skinless chicken breasts. Take half of the dressing (minus the poppy seeds and mayonnaise) and use it as a sauce for the chicken.
Onions give you problems, take a little heat out of the allium family by soaking sliced reds in ice water, for about 30 minutes before serving. Pat the onions dry and place on the salad. Onions fight a variety of diseases and they’re also a great antioxidant.
As July unfolds the nectarines and peaches hit the scene. How about switching the entire salad toppings for sliced peaches, blueberries, walnuts, sugar snap peas, broccoli and red or green onions.
Salad greens: In Branson West we have a Walmart Store. When it comes to salad greens for this salad I actually like the tender greens and baby spinach blend. If I purchase the Marketside label it seems like a great deal of the lettuce is wet and over the hill. Instead I pay $1 more and purchase the organic Marketside label. These greens seem to be much dryer and they last a longer time. Nothing is worse than dropping $5 for a large tub of salad greens and they’re expired in 1-2 days!
Why did I put a tablespoon of mayonnaise into this dressing? Typically I never eat vinegar and oil based dressings. My rationale is the fact that they hit and miss the top of the salad and ‘pool’ in the bottom of the bowl. One of my pet peeves is ‘runny’ salad dressings. If you add a tablespoon of sour cream, yogurt or mayo you’ll be amazed over how much it tightens the dressing. Also I’m of the opinion that every palate likes a different ratio of vinegar, oil and sugar. My assistant, Bonnie, for example, likes her version of this dressing with more vinegar bite. She usually omits the last 2 tablespoons of the dressing sugar.
If you don’t want to make the fresh dressing I would like to suggest a store brand that would be flattering, ‘Brianna’s Poppy Seed’. It’s a wonderful salad dressing line. I also love the Asiago dressing, but often struggle to find it.
This salad will bring a refreshing taste to your palate. Something ‘just’ a little different, but not too far out of the box.
Enjoy, Simply Yours, The Covered Dish
Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad
1 package tender greens/spinach blend
8-12 large strawberries, stemmed & sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, diced (skins on or off)
Slivers of red onion
1-2 chicken breasts, chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Dressing
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2-3 teaspoons finely minced onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon honey mustard
1/2 cup light olive oil
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 tablespoon mayonnaise of choice
Whisk all the dressing ingredient together with a wire whisk, until well blended.
Should yield approximately 3/4 cup. The dressing will hold up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Assemble main salad ingredients into individual portions, making a nice presentation. Garnish with the dressing or allow guests to do so individually. Yields 6 side salads. The salad can be made in one bowl, however the display isn’t quite as striking.
