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Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese

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Donna Urso
Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese
I had a spinach salad with strawberries and goat cheese in a restaurant a while ago and loved it.  It was elegant and special.  I wanted to make it at home

Now that I have a garden growing lots of wonderful baby spinach I decided it was time for me to make this delicious salad myself. 

You can make it at home as well.  Success is in the ingredients.  This is wonderful salad with plenty of fresh strawberry flavor.  I found flavorful, fresh strawberries on sale at my local grocery store.  What a perfect time of year to make this salad.  Yes, this elegant salad is perfect for serving to guests, but please don't wait for a dinner party.  Treat yourself.

Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese
The Salad Ingredients
Serves 4
  • 6 ounces fresh goat cheese log, cut into 4 1-inch rounds
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1/2 teaspoon water
  • 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 12 fresh strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4-6 ounces baby spinach
  • 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil

Directions
Toast the pine nuts.  Heat a medium pan on medium heat (don't use non-stick).  Place the pine nuts in the pan, stirring frequently.  Remove the nuts from the pan when they are lightly browned.  Watch them carefully as they toast because lightly toasted can turn to burned in a matter of seconds.  Set aside.
Toast the Pine Nuts
Prepare the strawberry balsamic dressing.  In a small food processor add 4 strawberries, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon honey.  Puree until smooth.  Set aside.

 
Make the Strawberry Balsamic Dressing
Slice the remaining strawberries and set aside.

 
Prepare the Strawberries
Prepare the breaded goat cheese.  Cut four one-inch rounds from the goat cheese log using dental floss (unflavored dental floss).  You'll be surprised at how well this works to cut the cheese.

 
Slice the Goat Cheese with Dental Floss

Beat the egg and water together.  Working with one slice of cheese at a time, dip the cheese in the egg and then in the panko crumbs, pressing the crumbs to fully cover the cheese.  Place each round on a sheet of parchment paper or wax paper and chill for 30 minutes.

 
Bread the Goat Cheese Rounds
Prepare your greens.  You can use all baby spinach or a mix of baby greens.  I have both baby spinach and lettuce growing in my garden so I decided to mix the baby spinach and the lettuce.


Mixed Baby Greens from My Garden
Heat the canola oil  in an 8-10 inch frying pan over medium heat until it just shimmers.  Add the cheese and brown on both sides.  Remove from the pan to drain on paper towels.


 
Brown the Goat Cheese

Working quickly, toss the greens, sliced strawberries and toasted pine nuts with the strawberry balsamic dressing.  You won't use it all, just use enough to coat the greens lightly.  Plate the salad and add the warm goat cheese.


The Finished Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese

You can get the printable Spinach Salad with Strawberries and Goat Cheese recipe by clicking the link.

Other links you may enjoy:
Baby Spinach with Garlic and Olive Oil
A January Salad

Enjoy!


Comments

  1. JessMay 17, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    We do a very similar salad that is a lot less work (since I never get any time anymore). Spinach & romaine, sliced strawberries, feta, pine nuts. For dressing you can use the Brianna's blush wine vinagrette (http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/flavors/blush-wine.html). Although we just picked up a strawberry balsamic and a blood orange olive oil that we've been mixing instead. So good. Also great with grilled chicken.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Donna UrsoMay 17, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Jess, those sound like good suggestions for alternatives. This was a pretty quick salad for the yumminess delivered. The warm, creamy goat cheese is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  3. ConnieMay 17, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    That salad looks delish! I have never really tried goat cheese but your tutorial was so informative that I just may give it a try.

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving such a nice comment about our remodel. It was a huge step to make but looking back now I can say it was all worth it. Back then, not so much.

    ReplyDelete
  4. RobinMay 17, 2011 at 6:48 PM

    Yummy, the recipe is now in my Just One Donna binder and the tip to slice the goat cheese with unflavored dental floss is great!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Donna UrsoMay 17, 2011 at 7:30 PM

    Robin, you'll be amazed at how great the dental floss works!

    ReplyDelete

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