Seasonal Starter: Spinach Strawberry Salad w/ Homemade Dressing

Summer is a great time to experiment with fresh seasonal fruits in salads. Strawberries and spinach are a perfect match. The sweet juice seeping from those red berries mixes so well with fresh spinach, and almonds add a nice crunch.

What's more, you can make your own dressing to go along with it! This recipe calls for a unique combination of sesame & poppy seeds, Worcestershire sauce, paprika and a few other unusual ingredients. Try this one while there are still fresh strawberries at the farmer's market!  

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Homemade Dressing

(makes 4 servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
• 1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
• 1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Cover, and chill for one hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving.