Strawberry and Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

This is a great easy summer salad, with a lot of options as to mixing and matching. Plus the salad looks pretty fancy. You can throw in any summer fruit or berry with this mix, blueberries and raspberries are a good choice, as are blackberries later in the season. The nuts are optional but a pecan or roasted almond adds a little crunch and more protein!

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch fresh spinach
• 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
• ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• ½ cup raw pecans
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

Direction:

Step 1 Combine the spinach, strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese, and pecans in a large bowl. Step 2 Stir the balsamic vinegar and honey together in a bowl; slowly stream the olive oil into the mixture while whisking continuously. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving.

Nutrition Facts:

Per Serving: 491 calories; 8.7 g protein; 19.3 g carbohydrates; 22.5 mg cholesterol; 282.4 mg sodium. Full Nutrition.