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The Best Summer Salad: Arugula, Strawberries, and Creamy Goat Cheese

A salad perfect for spring and summer. A combination of strawberries, dates, avocado, pecans and goat cheese. Top it with a balsamic or champagne vinaigrette.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1/2 cup sliced or slivered pecans (toasted)
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 5 ounces of arugula greens
  • 5 ounces of mixed greens
  • 8 ounces strawberries (hulled and quartered or chopped)
  • 1 avocado chopped
  • 2 ounces crumbled goat cheese
  • 1/4 cup dates, pitted and sliced

CHAMPAGNE VINAIGRETTE

  • 3 tablespoons champagne vinegar
  • 1/2 lemon (juiced)
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove (freshly grated)
  • pinch kosher salt and pepper
  • 1/2 cup olive oil

Instructions

  1. Place the pecans in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and cook, stirring often, until the sugar melts and is caramelized, coating all of the almonds – about 6 to 8 minutes. Don’t take your eyes off this as they can burn quickly! Transfer the almonds to a piece of parchment paper to let them cool. Break them into pieces if they are clumped.
  2. Toss the arugula with a pinch of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add in the strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, pistachios, and sugared almonds. Drizzle on the dressing and toss well. Serve immediately!


    Champagne vinaigrette

  3. Combine vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl and whisk together. Stream in the olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing comes together. Store in the fridge for up to one week.
  • Author: Cheri Liefeld
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Salad