​“The Quad S”

First off, do not be scared of making dressing at home. It is actually very simple. My biggest problem is I like to eye-ball measurements when I am cooking. So in order to share my recipes with all of you, I measure and write it down along the way. This time my lemon was VERY juicy, so I made the batch accordingly. You can always cut the recipe in half.

Begin by scooping the dijon mustard into a bowl followed by the lemon juice. Use a spoon or whisk to stir. You’ll begin to see the lemon juice break down the mustard. Continue until the mustard is liquified and there are no lumps. Next, add honey. Once the honey is well mixed add the balsamic vinegar and stir. The last ingredients are the olive oil and black pepper. Don’t be afraid to add more of a particular ingredient. Season the dressing to your liking. If it seems too mustardy then add more balsamic. If it becomes too liquidy then add more mustard. If you like it sweeter add more honey, or leave it out altogether if you prefer. I think you get the picture.

A little trick: I like to save my mustard jars. If you have a jar that’s usable go ahead and pour the dressing right into it. Close the lid tightly and give a good shake. This will not only help you get a great consistency and mix the ingredients vigorously but it’s the perfect way to store the dressing since you will have some leftover. “Would you have any Grey Poupon?”

Let’s move on and assemble the salad. Clean away the outer layers then finely chop 1/2 red onion (or less if the onion is large). Then wash, dry and slice your strawberries. The point is to have the tangy spice from the onion bring out and compliment the sweetness of the strawberries. Since spinach is a hearty green it’s a perfect canvas for the strong flavor of the vinaigrette. Put everything in a large bowl and add a few tablespoons of dressing, give it a toss, and your salad is ready.

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SUNFLOWER SALAD
Spinach (6 ounce bag from Trader Joe’s)
1/2 Red Onion Chopped Fine
1/2 Basket Strawberries
1/4 Cup Sunflower Seeds
4-5 tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing

Homemade Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing
Balsamic Dressing
4 tbsp Lemon Juice
3 tsp Dijon Mustard
3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 tbsp Honey
4 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Pinch Black Pepper