Vibrant Spinach and Berry Delight Salad with Zesty Poppy Seed Dressing
Indulge in a sweet and tangy adventure with this Vibrant Spinach and Berry Delight Salad. Inspired by a classic Best of Bridge recipe, this refreshing salad features an aromatic blend of fresh spinach, juicy strawberries, succulent mandarin oranges, and exotic kiwi, all brought together by a luscious poppy seed dressing. Perfect as a light appetizer or a vibrant side to elevate rich main dishes like my Death to Dieter's Lasagna. With its array of colors and textures, this salad not only pleases the palate but also impresses the eye. Enjoy the delightful crunch of sesame and poppy seeds in every bite, making this a staple for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh Spinach
1 bunch (Torn into bite-sized pieces, washed, and dried)
Fresh Strawberries
2 pints (Sliced into thirds and pat-dried)
Mandarin Orange Sections
1 (4 ounce) can (Drained, reserving 2 tsp juice)
Fresh Kiwi
1 (Sliced into quarters)
White Sugar
1/3 cup (Used for dressing)
Light Oil
1/2 cup
White Vinegar
1/4 cup
Sesame Seeds
2 tablespoons
Poppy Seeds
3 tablespoons
Paprika
1/4 teaspoon
Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 teaspoon
Minced Onions
1 1/2 teaspoons
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, combine white sugar, light oil, white vinegar, reserved mandarin orange juice, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and minced onions.
2
Whisk the dressing until all ingredients are well-blended, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
3
Prior to serving, taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or vinegar as desired.
4
Prepare the salad by tearing the fresh spinach into bite-sized pieces, washing gently, and patting dry with a paper towel.
5
Rinse the strawberries, pat them dry, and cut them into thirds.
6
Slice the fresh kiwi into quarters, ensuring a beautiful presentation.
7
Just before serving, shake the dressing container to mix, then drizzle the dressing over the spinach, strawberries, kiwi, and mandarin orange sections.
8
Gently toss the salad to coat evenly without wilting the spinach.
9
Serve immediately and revel in this irresistibly colorful and flavorful salad!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Spinach and Berry Delight Salad?
It is a refreshing, sweet, and tangy salad inspired by a classic Best of Bridge recipe, featuring spinach, strawberries, mandarin oranges, and kiwi with a poppy seed dressing.
What ingredients are used in the poppy seed dressing?
The dressing consists of white sugar, light oil, white vinegar, reserved mandarin orange juice, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and minced onions.
How long should the dressing be refrigerated before serving?
The dressing should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop properly.
What type of greens are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one bunch of fresh spinach, torn into bite-sized pieces.
Which fruits are included in the salad?
The salad features fresh strawberries, mandarin orange sections, and fresh kiwi.
How should the strawberries be prepared?
Strawberries should be rinsed, pat-dried, and sliced into thirds.
How is the kiwi sliced for this salad?
The fresh kiwi should be sliced into quarters to ensure a beautiful presentation.
Should I use the juice from the mandarin oranges?
Yes, you should drain the can but reserve 2 teaspoons of the juice to include in the dressing.
Can I adjust the flavor of the dressing?
Yes, prior to serving, you can taste the dressing and add more sugar for sweetness or more vinegar for tartness as desired.
When is the best time to add the dressing to the salad?
You should drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss it gently just before serving to avoid wilting the spinach.
What type of oil is best for the dressing?
The recipe specifically recommends using a light oil.
What kind of vinegar does the recipe require?
The dressing uses 1/4 cup of white vinegar.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 12 ingredients used in this salad and dressing combination.
What makes the dressing crunchy?
The crunch comes from the addition of 2 tablespoons of sesame seeds and 3 tablespoons of poppy seeds.
What main dish does this salad pair well with?
It is a great side to elevate rich main dishes like Death to Dieter's Lasagna.
How should the spinach be cleaned?
Spinach should be washed gently and then patted dry with a paper towel before being torn into pieces.
Is there onion in this fruit-based salad?
Yes, the dressing contains 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced onions for added depth of flavor.
What spice is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of paprika in the dressing.
Does the dressing use Worcestershire sauce?
Yes, it includes 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce.
Is this salad suitable for events?
Yes, it is considered a staple for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
How much sugar is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of white sugar in the poppy seed dressing.
How do you ensure the spinach doesn't wilt?
By tossing the salad gently and serving it immediately after adding the dressing.
What size of mandarin orange can should I buy?
A 4-ounce can of mandarin orange sections is the required size.
How many pints of strawberries are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 pints of fresh strawberries.
Should the dressing be mixed again after refrigeration?
Yes, you should shake the dressing container to mix the ingredients just before drizzling it over the salad.
Is this salad described as healthy?
Yes, the tags for the recipe include 'healthy' and 'fresh fruit'.
How many kiwis are required?
The recipe uses 1 fresh kiwi.
What is the flavor profile of the dressing?
It is described as a luscious, aromatic blend that is both sweet and tangy.
What is the visual appeal of the salad?
It features a vibrant array of colors from the green spinach and kiwi, red strawberries, and orange citrus.
Can I use frozen fruit for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for fresh spinach, fresh strawberries, and fresh kiwi for the best texture and presentation.