Yesterday I mentioned that Saturday morning my friends and I devoured brunch (more on that in another post!) then hit the ground running. Operation shop ’til we drop: downtown Chicago style, was in full effect.
I don’t think any of us realized we’d still be walking 5 hours later. Or at least I didn’t…otherwise I wouldn’t have worn flip flops. Ouch!
Despite my ill-advised choice of footwear, however, it ended up being a great way to spend time together while getting in a nice workout, and a fun way to see the city, to boot. I always forget how beautiful the architecture is in Chicago and after all, the best way to see a city is on foot!
As we wandered we came across a quaint shop called Old Town Oil, a small artisanal oil and vinegar shop in Old Town, which I knew I knew, but didn’t know how. You know? ; )
I soon remembered that my friend Lindsey, whom I was with, brought me a bottle of their Tuscan Herb Olive Oil when she was visiting a few years ago, which I had treasured to the very last drop – it was absurdly delish. That being said, we wasted no time diving into the shop’s other flavored and infused oils and vinegars they keep in big casks around the room with small sippers for sampling.
They were all terrific, but the Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar pretty much stopped me dead in my tracks.
Tasting like a reduced balsamic vinegar with a sweet kiss of strawberry flavor, I made sure my friends tried a sip (no seriously, did you try this?! YES, we tried it!) snatched up a bottle and used it to drizzle over a Triple-Berry Summer Salad when I got home. Three types of plump berries married with creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds, then drizzled with the Strawberry Balsamic vinegar. This fresh, summer-inspired salad was off the CHAIN!
Start with those summer berries plus some other fresh ingredients. Berries are flying off the shelves at my grocery store these days as they’re in-season, inexpensive and tasting great, so I included plump blueberries, sliced strawberries, and juicy raspberries into the salad, along with herby basil, and cool avocado. Include any type of berry you want though!
Place chopped baby spinach onto plates then add the berries, avocado, and basil on top, and then sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds.
The easiest way I know how to toast almonds is to spread them on a plate and microwave in 30 second increments until they’re golden brown (these were pre-toast.) You could also do this in the oven, but it’s getting hot out there, y’all, and when I can keep the heat out of the kitchen, I’ll do it!
Next, crumble fresh chevre on top. I. Heart. Chevre. It’s tangy, kind of like cream cheese, but has a way cooler texture. Try it sometime! : )
Finish off with a drizzle of Strawberry Balsamic, or any olive oil-based salad dressing, then dig in. Easy, right? Fabulously fresh, no-cook, and light yet filling from the goat cheese and avocado. Enjoy, enjoy!
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Triple-Berry Summer Salad
Description
Triple-Berry Summer Salad includes three types of plump berries, creamy avocado, tangy goat cheese, and crunchy almonds. This salad is unbelievable!
Ingredients
- 9oz baby spinach, torn
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/3 cup chopped basil
- 1 avocado, chopped
- 4oz goat cheese
Directions
- Divide baby spinach between plates then top with berries, almonds, basil and chopped avocado. Crumble goat cheese on top then dress with salad dressing. I recommend strawberry balsamic vinegar, but any olive-oil based vinaigrette would be fantastic.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I had something very similar to this in a restaurant the other day, with some added oranges and it was delicious. I’m really happy you posted this, I love all my fresh berries and this will give me yet another way to eat them :) Yum! Thank you
we have a little shop like that in my hometown of stillwater here in mn. my fave is the blackberry ginger balsamic vinegar (over ice cream omg). also, thank you for the idea for dinner tomorrow!
Wow that salad looks amazing! I’ve starting following your blog about a couple months ago. Love all the nice pictures, good recipes, stories, and the fact that you update so regularly! So awesome, thanks! :)
Really beautiful salad. I love the combinations of berries + goat cheese + avocado. Also, I’ve never tried toasting almonds in the microwave – that’s pretty clever!
We need a link for ordering the vinegar. Wish I was closer to Chicago to go to this/these stores.
Here you go! The link was kind of buried in the text:
You were in Chicago???? Ah, how did I miss you!
I know! It was the shortest of short trips – Friday evening to Sunday morning. Next time for sure!!
I love Old Town Oil! Huge fan of Oh Olive! too. Pretty much the same concept, but in the Lincoln Park neighborhood.
Looks awesome! Have you checked out All Spice in the East Village? Tons (or gallons) of great olive oils and vinegars!
I have been meaning to get down there for years, but always seem to get down to the East Village after they’re closed. Hoping to make it sometime this summer though!
I’ve been in that store! What fun and what a great, gorgeous salad!
What is the chiffonade item on top of your salad? Basil?? I made your Blue Moon Orange Chicken tonight for dinner… big hit! Was a great combination of flavors. Thanks so much, love your site.
Ahh I totally forgot to include the basil in the written recipe – thanks so much for the heads up!
I have been dreaming of this salad! Holy YUM and So pretty!
Old Town Oil is one of my favorite places on earth! I’m like a kid in a candy store!! I hope you guys went to Spice House too! Also one of my favorite “foodie” stores :)
This is one of my favorite summer salads. The Strawberry Balsamic sounds heavenly. Yum!
Have you been to Allspice in the East Village? They have flavored vinegars and oils too! :)
I have been meaning to go there for YEARS. Hopefully this summer!
It really is awesome, I got an amazing apple balsamic vinegar there that was delicious!
I discovered Allspice a couple months ago. Their Strawberry Balsamic is also great, but the Cinnamon Pear Balsamic is AMAZING! You have to go!
Old Town Oils was a primary inspiration for Alex and his wife when they started Allspice. It is a great shop. Also- if you’ve never seen Chicago by boat- well let’s just say there is a whole new perspective on Chicago’s beautiful architecture to be had.
Kristin, do you have any suggestions for a different cheese to use? I am just not a fan of goat cheese (I know…the horror!) ;)
Feta! Blue cheese crumbles! Any of those crumbly, savory types would work, methinks.
Agreed – feta or blue cheese would be great, or I think the salad would be just fine with no cheese. :)
Yum that looks really delicious! I don’t always think to put fruit in salads but I should as I really enjoy it :)
This is the perfect salad to have on the deck under twinkling lights and a glass of white wine sangria!
This salad looks so fresh, and I can’t say no to anything with that much color :) The strawberry balsamic sounds diiii-vine!
perfection….
This is my dream salad! I could devour it right now.