Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Pistachios and Poppy Seed Dressing

I have about 10 dozen things running through my head right now, I hope I can concentrate long enough to write this post and do this refreshing salad justice.

In about 6 hours I’m leaving for Toronto…a trip with my girlfriends. So excited! But the procrastinator in me waited until now to do laundry, pack (more shoes than days I’ll be gone x 3), paint my nails, get cash from the ATM, find my passport, what else am I forgetting? Oh yeah, I’m also fretting about missing Real Housewives of New York, despite the fact that I’m DVR’ing it.

Also, I wish that in the past couple of months I chose salads more often than I chose cupcakes. As I’m trying on shorts and dresses the sight isn’t pretty. What are my chances of losing 10 pounds in 6 hours? Ugh. Please everybody try this salad, summer is upon us! It is really delicious and it won’t leave you feeling the slightest bit guilty!

This recipe was passed along to me from my friend Mary. I’ve made it tons of times and sometimes I vary the recipe a bit. I’ll throw in some blueberries or even some mandarin oranges. I love the sweet fruit and the crunch of the pistachios. I’ve always used a store bought Poppy Seed dressing, but I really wanted to try homemade. Homemade dressings are so easy! It was tasty too. If you’re feeling up to it, try the homemade dressing, it takes all of 5 minutes. Otherwise Trader Joe’s makes a great Poppy Seed Dressing!

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Here’s what you’ll need

 

We obviously need a complete set of measuring utensils. And those poppy seeds actually get added last

 

Add salt and pepper

 

Blend it all together. We used a processor because it was more convenient

 

Now you can whisk in the poppy seeds! Then the dressing is done.

 

Now it’s time to put the salad together. To the spinach add strawberries

 

And pistachios. Wow that looks good!

 

And finally the dressing

 

Now that strawberries are in season make sure you add this to your summer menu!

 

Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Pistachios and Poppy Seed Dressing

Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad

Ingredients
  

  • 1 bag baby spinach
  • 1/2 cup pistachios, shelled
  • 1 cup strawberries, sliced

For the Dressing:

  • 1/3 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • A few turns of freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp  mustard
  • 1 green onion, ends removed and chopped
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (I used canola)
  • 1 tsp poppy seeds

Instructions
 

  • To make the dressing, combine vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, and mustard in a blender. While the blender is running, add the green onion. Continue running the blender and add the oil in a steady stream until it’s fully incorporated into the dressing.
  • Pour the dressing into a serving or storage container and whisk in the poppy seeds. In a large salad bowl add spinach, strawberries and pistachios. Toss with the dressing and serve immediately.
Keyword pistachio, Spinach, strawberry