Health Library

Ingredients:

• 6 ounces baby spinach
• 1/4 cup roasted walnut halves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 1/2 cup olive oil
• kosher salt, to taste
• ground black pepper, to taste
• additional 4 strawberries, sliced

Directions:

1. To make strawberry balsamic dressing, purée one pint strawberries, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in food processor. When smooth, slowly blend in the oil.
2. For salad, toss spinach, walnuts, and blue cheese.
3. Place salad in the center of the plate so that the cheese and nuts are on top.
4. Arrange strawberry slices around the plate.

Yield:

1 salad

Source:

Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center

Nutrition Tip

Spinach, strawberries, and walnuts come together to make this salad recipe one you won’t forget. The fresh spinach, refreshing strawberry flavors, and the crunch of walnuts work beautifully together. These ingredients are packed with important nutrients for your body.

Spinach is one of the richest sources of lutein, a phytonutrient that helps give spinach its color and helps shield it from the sun's harmful rays. In the same way that lutein protects spinach, it also helps protect our eyes from damaging UV light – which can cause macular degeneration.

Adding to the nutrients in this salad recipe are walnuts and strawberries. Walnuts come packed with protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats. Of the heart-healthy fats, walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids which research shows have anti-inflammatory properties. Strawberries help hydrate the body and contain antioxidants.