Spinach, Strawberry, Mandarin Salad With Poppy Seed Dressing

Cathy17's Note:

This is a wonderful and refreshing salad that I got from Best of Bridge. I played around with it a bit and added a few other fresh fruits to it. This is yummy and great to offset a very rich main dish, such as my Death to Dieter's Lasagna.

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 bunch fresh spinach
• 2 pints sliced fresh strawberries, cut into thirds
• 1 (4 ounce) can mandarin orange sections, drained, reserving 2 tsp of the juice for the dressing
• 1 fresh kiwi, sliced in quarters

Dressing

• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup light oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced onions

Directions:

1. Combine all dressing ingredients, mix well and refrigerate.
2. Make well ahead to allow flavors to blend.
3. Taste dressing and adjust sugar/vinegar for your sweet/tart taste preferences.
4. Tear fresh spinach into bite sized pieces, wash and pat dry.
5. Wash strawberries, drain, pat dry and cut in thirds.
6. Shake dressing container well and toss with spinach, strawberries, kiwi and mandarin orange sections just before serving, otherwise the spinach will wilt.
7. This makes a wonderfully tart, slightly sweet and very colorful salad!

Reviews

[mammamia #2]

This was just outstanding. My husband is on a soup/salad diet, so I am casting about for new recipes, and this is a keeper. Not only was it delicious, it was a delight to the eye as well. I left out the sesame seed and used fresh oranges because that is what we had on hand. Thank you!

[Judy from Hawaii]

This was an elegant salad, with wonderful taste & eye appeal. I added blueberries, cut the kiwi into slices & then quartered each slice, & used only 2 T poppy seeds. I served this at a bridal shower & received many compliments. This is a great recipe that I will make again.

[HokiesMom]

100% terrific! I love the zing in the salad dressing using the juice from the oranges and the vinegar. The only slight change was I used fresh mandarin oranges and then used 2 tsp of fresh squeezed orange juice for the dressing. Fabulous and very healthy salad which I used as my lunch instead of as a side dish.