MAKES: 4 (2¼-CUP) SERVINGS • DIFFICULTY: easy
This fancy-looking salad is incredibly easy to make. If fresh strawberries are unavailable, substitute frozen berries that have been thawed to room temperature. (Half our freezer is stocked with frozen berries, and the other half with frozen greens!)
DRESSING
1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
1 tablespoon chopped shallot
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Date Syrup
½ teaspoon salt-free stone-ground mustard
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, or ½ teaspoon dried
½ teaspoon poppy seeds
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
SALAD
8 cups baby spinach
½ cucumber, halved and thinly sliced
¼ cup raw pistachios
DRESSING: In a blender, combine the strawberries, shallot, vinegar, Date Syrup, mustard, and thyme. Blend until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds and black pepper and set aside.
SALAD: In a large bowl, combine all the salad ingredients, dress to your liking, and toss lightly to coat.