Fabulous Easter Sunday - Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Name: Fabulous Easter Sunday - Strawberry Spinach Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Cuisine: En

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I could not have asked for a better Easter Sunday! We slept in late, attended a wonderful Easter Service. The first Driscoll Berries of the season are surfacing, and they were on sale for a phenomenal price ($5.88 for four baskets).

Tip: I like to use a strawberry "plucker" to remove the greens, but I never wash my berries until right before I use them-- otherwise, they will go bad really fast.

I made Strawberry Waffles for breakfast. I used Trader Joe's Pancake mix, which I think is terrific for a shortcut...like when you are famished when you get home:

My son likes strawberries with a lot of whipped cream:

My oldest brother, and my husband, haven't been 100% well. I thought it was best that we postpone an Easter Dinner. At the last moment, my brother felt better and I decided to invite him down (with a lady friend) and I'd figure out something very simple. I decided we would enjoy the beautiful spring day and grill. I also wanted to put these beautiful strawberries to good use...

As luck would have it, I found three wonderful recipes from food bloggers. It's late, and I need to get ready for work-- but I had to share one of the recipes, for now.

My brother had never heard of pairing spinach and strawberries! I love the color of this salad. What really captured me was the vinaigrette. I knew this would be a winner, and I thank "Feed Me Delicious" for posting this on Photograzing. I made a few salad ingredient changes (omitting the bacon) -- but I made the vinaigrette exactly as list. Oh my! This is, truly, one of the best vinaigrettes I've tasted!

I had company on the way, so I was shooting pictures as fast as I could! Basically, you'll need balsamic vinegar, red wine vinegar, brown sugar, minced garlic, poppy seeds and Dijon mustard, and...

I love poppy seeds! They're so pretty.

I was so pleased to finally use the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, locally produced (Carmel Valley Olive Company) that was included with my C.S.A. Co-Op Box. I whisked the oil in to emulisify it. Wow! Delish!

Right about this time, my brother and his delightful lady friend showed up-- a lot of yakking went on while we made Garlic French Fries (these are so good and I can't wait to share this with you) and grilled skirt steak-- plus, I made a Cinnamon Chocolate Bundt Cake and a few other great meals.

You can see the skirt steak, peeking behind this bowl. Isn't this a pretty salad? I added red onion and gorgonzola cheese. I decided not to add bacon, but you certainly could.

My brother, who is a pretty amazing cook himself, was amazed at this new flavor combo that he got to try. I can see this salad gracing my table all through strawberry season. I hope that you try it.

But, it's bed time. I'll share more of my culinary adventures in the next few days. I really have been busy.

Personally, I enjoyed having my family at home-- in my kitchen-- enjoying a homemade meal, made from scratch and with a lot of love. This is what makes all the chopping, baking and cleaning worthwhile.

Till later-- here are a few shots of Spring in my garden, that I took this weekend: