Yesterday, I found organic strawberries on sale—three pints for $6.00 and I couldn’t pass that up. While at the grocery store my husband and I decided to invite some friends over for a casual dinner and a movie. With our usual dinner-for-two bumped up to four, I had two hours to decide what to make. I had one ingredient down—Strawberries. I tend to cook to fulfill my cravings and for some inexplicable reason I was craving hamburgers. Hamburgers with all the fixings sounded good for a casual dinner. Should I make Caesar salad as a side? I was sure that there would be some snacking going on during the movie so I didn’t want dinner to be too heavy. Eureka! What if I use the strawberries in the salad? Result: an awesome light side dish that works well with burgers!
Strawberry, Basil & Romaine Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
For the Salad
3 hearts of romaine, rinsed
2 pints of strawberries, rinsed
Large bunch of fresh basil, 20 leaves
For the Dressing
3/4 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced red onion
freshly ground pepper (optional – omit for AIP)
toasted almonds (optional – omit for AIP)
1) Chop romaine into bite sized pieces and place in salad bowl.
2) Cut tops off of the strawberries and slice in quarters. Mix strawberries into romaine – leaving some to decorate the top of the bowl.
3) Role basil leaves into a tube shape and slice thin strips. Mix basil into the romaine and strawberries – leaving some to decorate the top of the bowl.
4) Assemble all of the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl — so everyone can use their own desired amount of dressing.
Strawberry, Basil & Romaine Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- For the Salad 3 hearts of romaine, rinsed
- 2 pints of strawberries, rinsed
- 1 large bunch of fresh basil, 20 leaves
- toasted almonds (optional)
- For the Dressing
- 3/4 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon minced red onion and freshly ground pepper (omit pepper for AIP
Directions
- Step 1 1) Chop romaine into bite sized pieces and place in salad bowl.
- Step 2 2) Cut tops off of the strawberries and slice in quarters. Mix strawberries into romaine – leaving some to decorate the top of the bowl.
- Step 3 3) Role basil leaves into a tube shape and slice thin strips. Mix basil into the romaine and strawberries – leaving some to decorate the top of the bowl.
- Step 4 4) Assemble all of the dressing ingredients in a separate bowl — so everyone can use their own desired amount of dressing.
