mixed berry and spinach salad with lemon vinaigrette

     I am ready to be done with winter. This one has been so cold! I had a tiny break last weekend in Florida and since then I've been craving the sun's warmth. Luckily I have a longer trip in just a week to sunny Australia! But in the meantime I want to feel like I'm already soaking up the sun, even if I'm actually bundled up in a sweater and its 20 degrees outside. The best way to do this? Eating food that reminds me of summer!

     And that's where this delicious salad comes in. Strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries come together in all their berry-glory to brighten up a bed a spinach. With the addition of thinly sliced cucumber, creamy blue cheese, and a lemon vinaigrette it becomes instantly refreshing. Ahh, I can already feel that summer sun beating down on me.

berries and cucumber unite

lemon vinaigrette

     You'd be surprised at how filling this salad can be. But unlike most winter food, you don't feel it sitting heavy in your belly. Instead full means re-energized and satisfied. I like to think this salad provides a refreshing visual stimulation, too. I mean...those colors! Greens and reds and blues that pop all over the plate. It's just beautiful. 

Mixed Berry and Spinach Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: n/a
Servings: 1 person


You Will Need:
for the salad:

• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced cucumber
• 1/4 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup crumbled extra creamy blue cheese

for the vinaigrette:

• 2 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 2 TBS lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp white pepper, or black pepper

1. Combine olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
2. Spread out spinach on a large plate. Scatter on the cucumbers, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Finally, scatter on the blue cheese and finish by drizzling on the lemon vinaigrette.

What summer salad is your favorite?