Description

This vibrant Strawberry Crunch Salad combines peppery arugula, sweet succulent strawberries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy nuts, all brought together with a delicate champagne vinaigrette and caramelized almonds for an irresistible mix of textures and flavors. Perfect for a light lunch or an elegant starter, this salad is fresh, colorful, and quick to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

⅔ cup sliced or slivered almonds
10 ounces arugula greens
8 ounces strawberries, hulled and quartered or chopped
1 avocado, chopped
2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
⅓ cup roasted salted pistachios, chopped

Champagne Vinaigrette

3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
½ lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, freshly grated
Pinch kosher salt and pepper
½ cup olive oil
3 tablespoons sugar (for caramelizing almonds)

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Instructions

Caramelize Almonds: Place the sliced or slivered almonds in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar melts completely and caramelizes, coating all the almonds evenly. This process should take about 6 to 8 minutes. Be attentive to avoid burning. Once caramelized, transfer the almonds onto a piece of parchment paper to cool down and harden. If they clump together, break them into smaller pieces.
Prepare Champagne Vinaigrette: In a large bowl, combine the champagne vinegar, honey, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, and a pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Whisk together thoroughly. Gradually stream in olive oil while continuously whisking to emulsify the dressing. This vinaigrette can be refrigerated for up to one week.
Assemble the Salad: Toss the arugula greens lightly with salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Add the hulled and quartered strawberries, chopped avocado, crumbled goat cheese, chopped roasted salted pistachios, and the caramelized almonds.
Dress and Serve: Drizzle the prepared champagne vinaigrette over the salad. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly. Serve the salad immediately to maintain freshness and crunch.

Notes

Keep a close eye when caramelizing almonds as the sugar can quickly burn.
The salad is best served immediately after dressing to prevent wilting.
You can substitute goat cheese with feta for a similar tangy flavor.
For a nut-free variation, omit pistachios and almonds and consider using seeds like pumpkin or sunflower instead.
To make this gluten-free, ensure all ingredients especially mustard and vinegar are certified gluten-free.