Description
A fresh and vibrant Easter Spring Salad with Goat Cheese (plant-based) combining crisp baby arugula and spinach, juicy strawberries, toasted almonds, and tangy plant-based goat cheese with a light apple cider vinegar dressing. Perfect for spring gatherings, this salad is easy to prepare, customizable, and full of bright, natural flavors.
Ingredients
Greens and Produce
- Crisp baby arugula and spinach – 4 cups
- Fresh strawberries, sliced – 1 cup
- Red onion, thinly sliced – 1/4 cup
Nuts
- Toasted almonds – 1/3 cup
Dressing
- Apple cider vinegar (natural) – 2 tbsp
- Extra virgin olive oil (natural) – 3 tbsp
- Honey (natural) – 1 tsp
- Salt – 1/4 tsp
- Freshly ground black pepper – 1/4 tsp
- Natural gelling agent (optional) – a pinch
Cheese
- Goat cheese (plant-based), crumbled – 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Prepare the Greens: Start by washing and thoroughly drying the baby arugula and spinach leaves to ensure your salad stays crisp and not soggy.
- Slice the Fruit and Onion: Thinly slice fresh strawberries and red onions so they blend well into the salad without overpowering its texture.
- Toast the Almonds: Lightly toast the almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until they are golden brown. Let them cool to bring out their crunch and nuttiness.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together apple cider vinegar (natural), extra virgin olive oil (natural), honey (natural), salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in a pinch of natural gelling agent if you desire a smoother, clingier dressing texture.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, gently toss the greens with the sliced strawberries, red onion, and toasted almonds. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss lightly. Finally, crumble the goat cheese (plant-based) over the top just before serving for a creamy, tangy finish.
Notes
- Use the freshest greens possible for best texture and flavor.
- Balance sweetness from fruit and honey with acidity from vinegar and tang from goat cheese (plant-based).
- Toast almonds carefully to avoid burning and bitterness.
- Make dressing just before assembling salad to keep flavors vibrant and greens crisp.
- Add goat cheese (plant-based) right before serving to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Spring
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: spring salad, plant-based goat cheese, Easter salad, fresh greens, healthy salad, light appetizer
