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
Toasted almonds (optional)
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 freshly ground pepper
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.
