Strawberry & Mozzarella Garden Salad

It is almost time to pick some vine sweetened strawberries – let’s make a salad with them. This salad will blend sweet strawberries, creamy mozzarella, crisp greens, and crunchy pine nuts, with the sweet tang of balsamic vinaigrette. It’s a bright accompaniment to any meal from pasta to that grilled sirloin steak.

4 servings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

2 TBS Pine Nuts 
½ Pint (~1 C) Strawberries 
4 oz Fresh Mozzarella
¼ C Balsamic Vinegar 
½ C Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1 bag Mixed Greens

Directions

Place the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat. Keep moving the pan until they start to turn a light golden brown.  Do not walk away or they will burn – they brown quickly.

Wash and hull the strawberries (*) and cut them into quarters.

Dice the mozzarella into ¼ inch pieces.

Place the balsamic vinegar in a bowl and drizzle in the olive oil while whisking. Add salt & pepper to taste and whisk to incorporate.

Just before serving, place the salad greens in a large bowl and pour on some of the balsamic dressing until the greens are coated.  You may not need to use all of the dressing. Top the salad with the strawberries, mozzarella, and pine nuts. Serve immediately.

* Pronto Substitutes

Fresh Strawberries – If you can’t get fresh strawberries and must use grocery store strawberries, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of sugar over the strawberries and let them macerate for at least 30 minutes to sweeten them.
Pine Nuts - Substitute sliced almonds
Balsamic Vinegar – This is a great opportunity to use one of those fruity balsamics that you bought.

To print a copy of this recipe go to Strawberry & Mozzarella Garden Salad.