There’s nothing I love more than the perfect salad. (Well, okay, maybe chocolate, but I digress…) I love it when I discover a salad that combines textures and flavors that don’t make sense…until you taste them together.
The recipe I’m sharing today does just that. It’ll make your mouth dance with flavor, and it’ll give you good reason to buy an extra pint of strawberries every time you go to the store. 
The original recipe came from Quick Cooking, and I’ve made one or two minor variations as noted below.
Strawberry Tossed Salad
6 cups torn Romaine lettuce (The original recipe calls for mixed salad greens, but my favorite is Romaine.)
1 pint of fresh strawberries, sliced
1 pkg (4 oz) crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup sunflower kernels (or slivered almonds are good too!)
Balsamic vinaigrette (I like to either use Brianna’s blush wine vinaigrette or make my own dressing by combining equal parts olive oil with balsamic vinegar.)
Start by combining all the ingredients except the dressing. Just before serving, toss with the dressing until coated. (Makes 4-6 servings)
*photo from Tasteofhome.com
What are your favorite salad toppings or flavor combinations? Any foods that signal the arrival of spring to you?
YUM!!! I normally don’t like thigs like fruit and salad mixed…but one time I had to eat a similar salad to be polite at someone’s house and it was really good! Last weekend I tried organic strawberry salad dressing (again, to be polite) and was shocked that it was actually very good!
Good thing I was eating breakfast while I read this or you’d be in big trouble for making me hungry
It’s amazing what you discover when you try new things, isn’t it, Bekah? Glad I avoided your hungry-wrath.
Yes! Using strawberries in a salad is great and now that you can get them pretty much year round, I often use them instead of tomatoes. It gives a bit more taste and CLASS. Try adding pecans and raisins or craisins as well. This makes for a great combination. I’ve tried it with shredded 3-cheese and sharpe cheese, but the feta is the best.
Oh I LOVE dried cranberries in my salads too. Great suggestion, Vera!
You are welcome to bring your own “snacks” to the retreat. I will not stop you, especially if you love to share!
~ Wendy
Oh my word, can we go right now, Wendy? I don’t want to wait another six months.
This salad looks wonderful! I will have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Karen! Have a great weekend!
I’ve made a salad with strawberries in it but the dressing was different. I’m going to make this. The bean/pasta soup was excellent!
I’m so glad you liked the soup, Jessica! It can be an acquired taste for some.
I love feta cheese and walnuts to top a salad. I also don’t normally like to mix fruits with salad, but this does look beautiful.
Thanks Sarah!
Feta’s one of my faves too, Heidi. And the more beautiful the food, the healthier, right?
Looks great Sarah. We had a bad strawberry crop last year, but are anxious to see how the area farms did this year–we are hoping for lots of picking.
Oh yum, I haven’t had fresh-picked strawberries in ages. My grandparents used to have a patch in their backyard, and those were the best!
Yum! I make this exact salad except with fat-free poppyseed dressing. Sooooooo good, especially in the summer!
Ohhh, I bet that dressing would be awesome with this, Lindsay. I’ll have to try it sometime!
Yum! I make a similar version, but I use Nappa Cabbage, sliced almonds, strawberries, and raspberry vinaigrette. Delicious!
Sounds good, Jill!!!
Sounds good! I am a big fan of fruit and spinach salads. I make a version with pine nuts, goat cheese and strawberries. As far as what dish signifies spring for me…I’d say making tabbouleh and getting to use parsley from my little herb garden.
Oh yum, pine nuts and goat cheese are a fave here too, Marney!
Yum! I love a mandarin oranges in my salad with raspberry vinaigrette and toasted almonds. Always love feta!
Ohhh, that reminds me, Loree…I have a yummy salad I make with mandarin oranges, chicken, toasted almonds, and a homemade vinaigrette with Asian flair. So good!
I love strawberries, but never thought to put them in a salad. Thaniks!
You’ll be hooked, Susan, I promise!