Are we seriously starting the last week of July? I’m not ready for another summer to end, although technically it doesn’t end for a while but with school lurking around the corner it always feels like the season is over before it really is. That’s not fair, in my opinion. There are so many things I love about every season, but one thing I truly love about summer is all the produce we have available to us. Summer fruits and veggies are my favorite. Right now, I’m absolutely hooked on peaches and my kids and I have been eating them daily. Sweet summer peaches are the best.

(more…)

The post Spinach Salad with Peaches, Gorgonzola and Almonds appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

Click here to pin this Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe!

This recipe for Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad was originally shared in May 2011 (6 years ago!). I’ve updated this post with new photos for you. It’s still one of my favorite salads and one I’ve been enjoying a lot lately.

Let me introduce you to my salad of the week. Well, let’s say, salad of the season. Because it’s not going anywhere for a while.

I was originally inspired to make this salad for the first time many years ago after seeing it on my friend Tina’s site after she suggested it to me and I have craved it oh so often ever since.

I know salads like this Strawberry Spinach Salad have been floating around for awhile so it’s not the most original recipe. But what I want you to do is look at it more from a nutritional stand point than just as a salad plate. I always seem to fall back on this salad when I’m trying to really lighten up a meal without missing out on flavor and a nutritional boost.

I felt like eating this on it’s own tonight, but it would be perfect with some grilled shrimp, chicken or fish.

So when I say look at this plate of goodness from more of a nutritional standpoint this is what I mean. I don’t always feel like eating a salad. For some reason making at a salad at home is the last thing I want to do. I love eating them out, but at home, eh, too much work maybe? Silly, I know. But when you see how good for you a plate like this is, you can’t help but start to crave it. Well, at least that’s how I work.

Healthy Spinach Strawberry Salad with Walnuts

Spinach (source: Livestrong.com)

• low calorie
• one cup contains more than daily requirements of vitamin K, vitamin A
• high in manganese, folate and magnesium
• excellent source of dietary fiber, calcium and protein
• contains cancer fighting antioxidants
• is known to promote cardiovascular health with high levels of magnesium that can lower high blood pressure levels

Strawberries (source: Livestrong.com)

• rich source of vitamins such as vitamin A, B-complex, C and E
• reduces inflammation in the body
• has higher levels of vitamin C than oranges
• powerful antioxidant
• healthy dose of dietary fiber that aids in reducing bad cholesterol

Walnuts (source: BBC News)

• highest level of antioxidant than any other nut
• great source of protein and omega-3

Like this Spinach Strawberry Salad? Pin It Here!

See what I mean? Good stuff.

I can’t not talk about the salad dressing here. We go through a lot of jelly jars in my house thanks to our healthy obsession with PB&Js so I find myself with almost empty jars pretty often. When the jar has that tiny bit of jelly left at the bottom is the best time to pull it aside to make a salad dressing – right in the jar. I use condiment jars to make vinaigrettes often, like this Mustard and Herb Vinaigrette, and the ideas are pretty endless when you are a condiment collector like we are. So simple, so good.

More homemade vinaigrettes to try:

Clementine Vinaigrette

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 6 reviews

Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette

• Author: Aggie's Kitchen
• Yield: 1 salad
• Category: Salads, Salad Dressings

Print

Pin

This Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette is classic – and full of nutrition! One of my favorite salads ever.

---

Ingredients

For the salad:

• 2 cups (handfuls) of fresh spinach
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• 8 walnut halves, rough chopped
• 1 oz crumbled gorgonzola (about a 1/4 of plastic container)
• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/3 avocado, sliced (optional)

For the vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon raspberry (or other berry) preserves
• 1 teaspoons stone ground mustard

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

To prepare salad:

1. Layer each ingredient on a large salad plate. Serve with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette.

To make Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette:

1. Combine ingredients in a jar or tightly sealed container. Shake vigorously until well combined.

---

Notes

Recipe inspired and adapted from Mommy’s Kitchen

Follow Aggie’s Kitchen’s board Homemade Salad Dressings on Pinterest.

The post Strawberry Spinach and Walnut Salad with Raspberry Balsamic Vinaigrette appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

Click here to Pin this Recipe!

If you received my newsletter on Friday then you know I’m totally loving asparagus right now. It’s hard not to pick some up every time I walk past a display of it at the grocery store lately. Like most vegetables, I typically like to simply roast it, but I couldn’t help but add some of my favorite flavors to elevate it a bit – balsamic, gorgonzola and walnuts were meant to be together and you really can never go wrong with that combo.

(more…)

The post Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic, Gorgonzola and Walnuts appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

Guys, summer is in full swing and I am currently and happily OBSESSED with watermelon. I am eating it almost every day and just straight up how I like it. Would you agree that there’s nothing more refreshing than cold chunks of watermelon on a hot summer day?

Watermelon and all it’s goodness are making me happy right now.

So is this salad.

(more…)

The post Roast Beef Spinach and Arugula Salad with Watermelon appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.

You know I’m all about salads. I am usually inspired by whatever ingredients I have in my fridge, but usually the basics often include the trifecta of fresh greens, cheese and nuts. It’s just a no-brainer to an awesome salad mix in my opinion. Add in any extra veggies or fruit and you are set.

I happen to come upon plenty of grapefruit regularly around this time of year, my grandpa’s tree is an amazing producer and I love that he sends me home with large bags of them whenever I see him during the grapefruit months. My mom just brought me some this past weekend and I couldn’t help but remember this simple grapefruit vinaigrette I made a couple of years ago. I ate this Spinach and Pistachio Salad pretty often drizzled with that bright vinaigrette and I’m ready to make it again. Like today, for lunch.

(more…)

The post Spinach and Pistachio Salad with Grapefruit Vinaigrette appeared first on Aggie's Kitchen.