This pretty salad features a gorgeous medley of sweet, tart, and crunchy, pulled together with a lightly citrusy poppy seed dressing. It makes a fine meal on its own if you’re trying to keep things light. You could also top it with some freshly grilled salmon, shrimp, or chicken, if everyone coming to the party is on board with that type of thing.
SERVES 8 TO 10
¼ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
3 tablespoons sugar or honey
Salt and pepper
8 cups packed baby spinach
2 pints fresh strawberries, rinsed, hulled, and sliced
8 ounces crumbled feta cheese
¼ red onion, sliced very thin
2 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds
• Whisk together the rice vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, poppy seeds, and sugar or honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste and refrigerate until ready to dress salad.
• To assemble the salad, combine the spinach, strawberries, feta, and onion in a serving bowl.
• Toss well with the dressing and serve, garnished with the sunflower seeds and more pepper to taste.