Description
This Strawberry Crunch Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances sweet, savory, and crunchy elements. Tender arugula is tossed with juicy strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy pistachios, all topped with caramelized almonds for a delightful “crunch.” A homemade champagne vinaigrette adds a bright and tangy finish, making this salad ideal for a light lunch, brunch, or a summer gathering.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad:
- 2/3 cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 10 ounces arugula greens
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered or chopped
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 1/3 cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped
Champagne Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, freshly grated
- Pinch kosher salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
Caramelized Almonds:
- Caramelize Almonds:
- Place the almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.
- Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and caramelizes, coating all of the almonds (about 6 to 8 minutes).
- Do not leave unattended as they can burn quickly.
- Transfer the almonds to a piece of parchment paper to cool.
- Break them into pieces if they clump together.
Champagne Vinaigrette:
- Combine Ingredients:
- Combine champagne vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Whisk together.
- Add Olive Oil:
- Stream in the olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing emulsifies.
- Store:
- Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Assemble Salad:
- Prepare Arugula:
- Toss the arugula with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add Salad Ingredients:
- Add the strawberries, chopped avocado, crumbled goat cheese, chopped pistachios, and caramelized almonds to the arugula.
- Dress and Serve:
- Drizzle the champagne vinaigrette over the salad.
- Toss well.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Watch the almonds carefully while caramelizing to prevent burning.
- Use ripe but firm strawberries for the best texture.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the vinaigrette to your sweetness preference.
- For a variation, try using different nuts, such as pecans or walnuts.
- If you don’t have champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar can be used as a substitute.
- For a vegan version, omit the goat cheese or substitute with a vegan alternative.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
