The Ultimate Summer Delight: Strawberry Peach Spinach Salad with Easy Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing + Blendtec Blender Giveaway!
Get ready to transform your salad experience with this absolutely incredible Spinach Salad, loaded with juicy strawberries, sweet peaches, crunchy candied walnuts, creamy goat cheese, and crowned with a ridiculously good (and incredibly simple) homemade poppy seed dressing! Plus, an exciting opportunity awaits you below – a chance to win a state-of-the-art Blendtec Blender!
For those who might be new to Yummy Healthy Easy, you might not know that my journey with salads has been quite an evolution. For the longest time, salads just didn’t excite me. I’m not entirely sure what caused that aversion, but something shifted recently, and now I find myself craving and enjoying at least one fresh salad every single day. The vibrant flavors, the crisp textures, and the endless possibilities have completely won me over!
One of the biggest game-changers in my newfound love for salads has been discovering the joy of making homemade dressings, especially with the help of a powerful blender. If you haven’t tried making your own dressings before, you’re in for a treat! It’s astonishingly quick, incredibly easy, and a fantastic way to save money, as store-bought dressings can really add up. More importantly, homemade versions always taste fresher and allow you to control every ingredient, ensuring a healthier and more personalized culinary experience.
Today is extra special because I’ve teamed up with some amazing blogger friends to bring you not just one, but TEN quick and delicious blender dressing recipes. And as if that weren’t exciting enough, we’re also giving away a FREE Blendtec Blender to one lucky reader! This powerful kitchen appliance is a true game-changer, making homemade dressings (and so much more) an absolute breeze. Get ready to elevate your kitchen game!
The Magic of Homemade Dressings: Fresh, Flavorful, and Fast
There’s an undeniable difference when you drizzle a homemade dressing over your salad. The flavors are brighter, the textures are richer, and you can taste the freshness in every bite. It just tastes better, period. Over time, I’ve developed a few go-to homemade dressings that I make regularly. My rotation includes this incredible easy Greek salad with homemade dressing, a zesty orange vinaigrette, and one of my newer favorites, a refreshing basil vinaigrette. Each one brings its own unique character to a simple bowl of greens.
But surprisingly, I had never ventured into making a poppy seed dressing until now! This particular dressing quickly shot to the top of my favorites list. What I adore about this homemade poppy seed dressing is its perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. It’s truly a symphony of flavors that brightens any salad. The subtle addition of grated red onion is a stroke of genius; it not only gives the dressing a lovely, delicate pink tint but also imparts a light, intriguing onion flavor without being overpowering. To keep things light, I opted for Truvia in place of traditional sugar, cutting down on calories without sacrificing an ounce of taste. Making this dressing genuinely couldn’t be any simpler: just toss all the ingredients into your blender, hit the button, and in seconds, you’re done!
The Perfect Pairing: Spinach Salad with Seasonal Fruits and Textures
As wonderful as the poppy seed dressing is on its own, it truly shines when poured over this sensational spinach salad. I’m not exaggerating when I say this is quite possibly the best salad I have ever had! It’s a harmonious blend of all my favorite components, meticulously put together to create an unforgettable culinary experience.
The moment I finished capturing these beautiful photographs, I devoured the entire bowl in record time. The interplay of flavors and textures is simply incredible. You have the tender, earthy baby spinach as the foundation, providing a fresh, nutritious base. Layered on top are sweet, sun-kissed strawberries and juicy, ripe peaches, offering bursts of vibrant fruitiness. Then comes the delightful crunch and sweetness of homemade candied walnuts – a texture contrast that’s pure genius and always a crowd-pleaser. And of course, you can never go wrong with a generous sprinkle of creamy, tangy goat cheese, which adds a luxurious richness and balances the sweetness of the fruit and dressing. If you only try one salad recipe from Yummy Healthy Easy, make it this one! It’s a guaranteed winner for summer gatherings, light lunches, or a healthy dinner side.
This salad is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. The fresh, seasonal ingredients come together beautifully, creating a dish that is both light and satisfying. It’s perfect for a warm summer evening, a refreshing lunch, or an impressive addition to any potluck or barbecue. The balance of sweet, tart, creamy, and crunchy elements makes every bite exciting and keeps you coming back for more. Don’t underestimate the power of these simple components to create such a profound flavor profile.
So, without further ado, grab the detailed recipe for this easy homemade poppy seed dressing and the full spinach salad assembly instructions below. After you’ve mastered this amazing dish, make sure to check out my friends’ other fantastic 5-minute blender dressing recipes. They offer a diverse range of flavors that will keep your salads exciting all year long. And most importantly, don’t forget to enter the incredible Blendtec Blender giveaway! Imagine all the delicious possibilities you could create with such a powerful tool in your kitchen. I truly hope you win!
Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Peaches, Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Poppyseed Dressing
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. Truvia Baking Blend or 4 Tbsp. sugar
- 1 tsp. grated red onion
- 1/3 cup white vinegar
- 2/3 cup canola oil
- 3/4 tsp. ground mustard
- 3/4 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. poppy seeds
Salad Ingredients:
- 2 Tbsp. Truvia Baking Blend or 4 Tbsp. sugar (for candied walnuts)
- 1/2 cup walnut halves
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 peach sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
- 1-2 Tbsp. crumbled goat cheese
Instructions
-
Combine all of the dressing ingredients (Truvia/sugar, grated red onion, white vinegar, canola oil, ground mustard, salt) except the poppy seeds into your blender. Blend until thoroughly combined and smooth. Once blended, pour in the poppy seeds and pulse briefly to incorporate them evenly without over-processing.
-
For the candied walnuts, in a small non-stick pan, stir together 2 Tbsp. Truvia Baking Blend (or 4 Tbsp. sugar) and the walnut halves over medium heat. Continue stirring constantly to prevent burning, until the sweetener melts and beautifully coats the nuts. Immediately pour the candied walnuts onto a piece of parchment paper or a silicone mat to cool completely. They will crisp up as they cool.
-
To assemble your exquisite salad, begin by layering fresh baby spinach generously in your chosen bowl(s). Then, artfully arrange the sliced peaches, sliced strawberries, crumbled goat cheese, and the cooled, crunchy candied walnuts over the spinach.
-
Finally, drizzle your freshly made, tangy-sweet poppy seed dressing generously over the top of the assembled salad. Serve immediately and savor every delicious, perfectly balanced bite!
Notes
Discover More: Best 5-Minute Blender Salad Dressing Recipes
As part of our exciting collaboration, my talented blogger friends are also sharing their favorite blender dressing recipes. These are all incredibly quick to whip up and guarantee to bring fresh, vibrant flavors to your table. Explore the variety and find your next favorite!
Creamy Mango Chipotle Dressing
Infuse your salads with an exotic, smoky sweetness with this delightful mango chipotle creation. It’s perfect for adding a tropical kick to any meal.
Avocado Lime Vinaigrette
Experience the creamy richness of avocado combined with zesty lime in this refreshing vinaigrette. It’s an excellent choice for a vibrant, healthy dressing.
Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
A classic favorite, this honey mustard vinaigrette strikes the perfect balance between sweet and savory. Ideal for everyday salads or as a delicious dip.
Poppyseed Dressing
Our featured recipe for a sweet and tangy poppy seed dressing. It’s simple, flavorful, and incredibly versatile for fruit-based salads.
Lemon Herb Vinaigrette
Brighten up your greens with this light and aromatic lemon herb vinaigrette. Its fresh flavors are perfect for a variety of salad compositions.
Copycat Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo Dressing (No mayo healthier version)
Get the authentic taste of Cafe Rio’s famous dressing with a healthier, no-mayo twist. This creamy tomatillo dressing is a flavorful addition to Mexican-inspired salads.
Tomato Soup Salad Dressing
An unexpected but utterly delicious dressing, this tomato soup creation offers a savory, umami-rich flavor that will surprise and delight.
Asian Peanut Coconut Dressing
Transport your taste buds to Asia with this creamy, nutty, and subtly sweet peanut coconut dressing. Perfect for noodle salads or chicken dishes.
Jalapeno and Avocado Greek Yogurt Dressing
For those who love a bit of heat and a lot of creaminess, this Greek yogurt-based dressing with jalapeno and avocado is a fantastic choice. It’s flavorful and light!
Honey Citrus Dressing
A bright and sweet dressing that will awaken your palate. This honey citrus blend is excellent for fruit salads or lighter greens, offering a refreshing zing.
As you can see, the world of homemade dressings is expansive and incredibly rewarding. With a good blender, preparing these flavorful concoctions is no longer a daunting task but a quick and enjoyable part of your meal prep. Each of these recipes offers a unique profile, ensuring you’ll find something to love, whether you prefer sweet, tangy, spicy, or savory notes in your salads.
Win Big: Enter the Exclusive Blendtec Blender Giveaway!
Now for the truly exciting part – your chance to win a high-performance Blendtec Blender! This is more than just a kitchen appliance; it’s an investment in healthier, more flavorful eating. A Blendtec blender can tackle anything from silken dressings to robust smoothies, creamy soups, and even nut butters, making it an indispensable tool for any culinary enthusiast. Its power and efficiency will significantly cut down on your prep time, allowing you to enjoy delicious, homemade meals with ease.
We’re thrilled to offer one lucky reader the opportunity to bring this incredible piece of kitchen technology into their home. Imagine the possibilities – perfectly smooth dressings every time, nutrient-packed green smoothies to start your day, or creamy purees for gourmet dinners. This giveaway is our way of celebrating the joy of cooking and encouraging you to embrace the benefits of fresh, homemade ingredients. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
Entering is simple! Just follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below. Good luck to everyone who participates!
a Rafflecopter giveaway