The BEST sweet lemon poppyseed dressing (no mayo), easy candied pecans, and fresh berries over a bed of spinach. This berry spinach salad is delicious and great to serve to a crowd!
1bag (6-8 ounces, 177g)fresh spinach OR salad blend (mixed greens and spinach)~7 cups
1cup (172g)heaping strawberries
1cup (160g)heaping raspberries
1cup (158g)heaping blackberries
4ounces (113g)feta cheeseabout 3/4 cup
Candied Pecans
1largeegg white
2teaspoonswater
1teaspoonvanilla
1cupwhite sugar
3/4teaspoonsalt
1teaspooncinnamon
4cups (63g, 1/2 cup)pecan halves(1 pound)
Dressing
4tablespoons (60g)freshly squeezed lemon juice
1teaspoonheaping lemon zest
1/4teaspoononion powder
1/2teaspoonDijon mustarddo not use regular mustard
1/4teaspoonsalt
1tablespoonwhite sugar,optional
1/3cup (72g)extra virgin olive oil
1/2tablespoonpoppyseeds
Instructions
Salad
Wash and THOROUGHLY dry (wet lettuce won't allow the dressing to adhere well) the spinach. Remove any long stems.
Wash and thoroughly dry the fruit.
Toss the fruit with the spinach. Add in the candied pecans and feta cheese.
Top with dressing only RIGHT before serving.
If you plan on having leftovers, do not toss in with dressing as it doesn't store or sit well.
To candy the pecans
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F and generously grease a baking sheet.
In a mixing bowl, whip together the egg white, water, and vanilla until frothy. In a separate bowl, mix together sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
Add pecans to egg whites, stir to coat the nuts evenly. Remove the nuts, and toss them in the sugar mixture until coated. Spread the nuts out on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 1 hour, stirring and tossing every 15 minutes.
Dressing:
Combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, onion powder, dijon mustard, salt and sugar in a blender or food processor. Blend or pulse until completely smooth. Slowly pour in the oil and blend. Stir in the poppyseeds.
Notes
The amounts of toppings are general guidelines -- we like a lot of toppings to the amount of lettuce :) Add or remove toppings to personal preference.