After experiencing a longer and colder winter than usual, it comes as no surprise that Ontario’s seasonal produce is appearing later on the shelves.
Local field strawberries are appearing in the markets and one bite into them reminds me that local is always best.
No need to steep these in sugar or any other flavour enhancer – a simple bowl of strawberries after dinner is fine by me.
Or I also like strawberries as part of my salad. The sweet and tart flavours of a strawberry play well against savory in a salad.
Here, I pretty much winged this salad, used what was on hand and I think I came up with a harmonious mix of ingredients, seasonal fare and as always, delicious.
When you’re ready to eat this salad, hunch your back over, turn away from the others and protect yourself and the salad…the last time I made this, someone else’s fork just dived into my salad and stole a forkful!
Strawberry Salad
(for 4)
4 large handfuls of Spring Mesclun Mix
1/2 pint of strawberries, sliced
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon
Vinaigrette
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 small clove of garlic, minced
4 Tbsp. raspberry balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
- Wash & rinse your salad greens and ensure most of the water has been removed from the leaves and reserve.
- In a large bowl, add the mustard, garlic and vinegar and start whisking the ingredients until a paste has formed. Now continue whisking while adding a slow and steady stream of olive oil until you get a creamy, emulsified mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning and add salt and pepper according to taste.
- Add your salad greens, strawberries and tarragon into the bowl and gently toss to coat all your salad leaves.
- Divide your salad and top with the walnuts and crumbled blue cheese.
53 Responses
Beautiful, Peter, beautiful! (Well except for the tarragon, ick ptui, but chacun a son gout I guess.)Winging it is good.
Stab back, Peter! That’s what I would do. ;)
A wonderfully simple salad that lets the tastes of each fresh ingredient shine through.
Oh I can’t wait for fresh local berries! I am so close now!!! I am going to make this salad for my family when I get there!
I think we are going to take you up on your secret spot to eat when we are there!
Oooh my. Oh my, my, my! I’m a sucker for all things blue-cheese related, and this salad looks lovely. I wonder how this would be with balsamic vinegar? Too sweet? Regardless, this salad is something I would serve to those dearest to me!
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
You have a winner here, Peter!!! I once sampled a salad at a food show where they had paired smoked fish and strawberries.
We were definitely on the same wavelength, Peter. I am writing a post on a strawberry salad myself. You’ll see it soon. I agree with everything you say about strawberries. Your salad looks wonderful.
This is really refreshing Peter! Nice way to use strawberries.
Strawberries, blue cheese and walnuts all in one salad – count me in!
Yum. This looks so wonderful and refreshing. Like a little salad party!
Very trendy, Peter, very trendy
Ferdzy, I take it, you have no tarragon in your garden? lol
JS, next time I draw blood!
Jen, a succinct way of putting it.
Judy, it would be my pleasure…call as soon as you get it in town, k?
Paula, it wasn’t too sweet, there’s a balance of flavours.
Nina, I’ve had smoked trout in a salad, surprisingly good.
Simona, it seems many of us bloggers that share similar tastes also seem to eat in the same phases!
Pete, more strawberries abound next week.
Cake…stab away!
Simply, a party and a salad…Homer Simpson eat your heart out!
Joanna, it’s a salad you just give to people. Don’t tell them what it is before serving – they’ll love it after 1 forkful.
Ahhhh, balsamic, strawberries, blue cheese. One of my favorite combinations! We have a wonderful local cheese called Great Hill Blue, made in Marion, Massachusetts, that is perfect with strawberries.
Hi Peter. In my shows for the children I always use strawbs in the salads. It comes as a great shock to some of our British children – sad but true. Anyway, of course one they have eaten some they realise how delicious it is. End of.
Cheers
David
Beautiful salad, Peter! One of my favorite spring salads is strawberries and whatever greens I happen to have, radishes and fresh mint, tossed in olive oil, a sweet balsamic and some montreal steak seasoning, as odd as that sounds. I eat it daily when the spring strawberries and radishes overlap!
This looks delicious. I wouldn’t have thought of using tarragon with strawberries, but now that I think about it I bet they taste fantastic together.
NOOOO! Now I have to send the kids back to the strawberry farm. Count on Peter to make me want something. Maybe only 20 pounds this time…
The strawberries are particularly good this year. Lovely salad.
salads seem to taste so much better when they’re colorful like that. and when there are strawberries involved. looks filling and nutritious and scrumptious–nicely done!
Harmonious indeed! I love the use of tarragon, and the mix of textures is perfect … crunchy, juicy, creamy, crisp … just perfect :-)
This has to be one of themost perfect salads in the world.
wonderful salad, I have to try it, It sounds really original and fresh, and it looks very good too!
γιαμι γιαμι
σε παντÏευομαι ;)
Lydia, you’re lucky to have a craft cheese maker nearby!
David, now that’s a sure way to get kids to eat more greens…mix them up with strawberries!
Jen, I’m going to have to try the Montreal Steak seasoning in salad!
Jessica, I do enjoy tarragon and it worked well in this salad.
DOH…sorry Marjie, I forgot you have to buy army portions for your family!
Lisa, the strawberries arrived a little late but they are good!
Grace, there aren’t too many ingredients here but the combo and colours work!
Allen, good to see you back…you described the salad very well.
Glah, you’re too kind – lets just call it a good, tasty salad.
Hi Francesca and welcome…the salad is refreshing and delicious.
Aliki, efharisto…exomai Koumbari? lol
I feel so nostalgic with this recipe Peter, love strawberries but they dont will arrive here until October (with luck September) but I have tosay your salad look wonderful and yummy! xxGloria
what a beautiful summer salad! I didnt think strawberry would go well in a salad until i tried a similar salad myself a few months ago. It works perfectly!
A salad is a perfect place for fresh strawberries to hang out!
Looks delicious, I love how strawberries add freshness and color to salads!
What a perfect light summertime meal. I had seen Jamie Oliver make a strawberry salad on Jamie at Home but couldn’t track down the recipe. Thanks for sharing this one!
I love this salad! The flavours burst with freshness!MMMM!
love IT! great great summer salad…
Whoa…havent tried strawberries in a salad…but you had me with the walnuts and crumbled blue cheese
*grin*
This is one of my favorite salads. Blue cheese with anything, actually.
I just love this salad. Sometimes, I add meat of grisons or Italian ham.
I am so jealous of you right now! I want ripe summer strawberries to play with! This salad looks divine, well done.
I may have to steal this, I have a lot of strawberries in my fridge and I already have a pie that needs finishing. A salad sounds perfect. Thanks!
Ahh Gloria, I forgot you have opposite growing seasons…they will arrive soon!
Lina, aren’t strawberries great in a salad?
Kevin, they don’t hang out too long…they get eaten up.
Jessy, the colour and falvour are a great addition.
Anna, now you don’t have to look any further!
Rita, they are a wonderful component to a salad…enjoy!
Heathz…you’re a “bleu Queen”!
Helene, Prosciutto would be lovely.
Christie, thanks…it’s our turn at strawberries.
Natashya, steal away…but just give me credit the 1st time you make it, ok?
Harmonious mix indeed! I like the pairing of strawberry and tarragon.
I love, love love strawberries in a salad. This one looks delish.
Looks great. This is one of my favourite summer salads, especially with the blue cheese.
Strawberries & blue cheese…….my kind f salad!!
Thats a stunning looking salad Peter, and I know it tastes out of this world, you entice us all with your creations!
is a beautiful salad!!
I think you would have been justified in stabbing them with your fork!