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.
Trisha 05.31.2013
I could eat this alllll summer long!
Jess 05.31.2013
What a perfect salad for summer, Kristin. I went to a specialty olive oil and balsamic shop like this in Norfolk, and had to stop myself from sampling every last one of the at least 100 flavors they had. I totally didn’t see a strawberry balsamic vinegar though – I would have been all over that!
em@simplypresent 05.30.2013
Your salad looks better than Panera’s and that’s saying a lot!
Yay for sweet summertime! :)
nessa 05.30.2013
I’ll definitely make this, just without the nuts(I’m allergic)!
Lisa 05.30.2013
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; you make the prettiest salads in the world. Perfect for this hot weather.
Liz N. 05.30.2013
I am moving to Chicago in a couple of weeks and I think Old Town Oil will be one of the stores I first visit! I am totally going to make this salad once we get all unpacked. It’s summer in a bowl. Thanks for sharing! Love to hear more about your shopping and eating adventures in Chicago.
Eleni 05.30.2013
You should check out Vom Fass by the 42nd St. exit! Old Town Oil looks really similar.
Theresa 05.30.2013
Hey girl.
I just wanted to let you know that I just made this salad, and it is delicious. I actually bought similar balsamic at our local farmer’s market in Indy last weekend.
I wanted a creamyness to the dressing, so I changed it up a bit and used 1 tbsp almond butter mixed with the balsamic (which I had to resist simply drinking because it’s so super fab). I deleted the goat cheese for vegan friends, and used 1/2 kale and 1/2 spinach for a bit more bite. AMAZING. Thanks for the GREAT recipe! You really should try mixing the balsamic with almond butter. It hits the spot!
Meredith 05.30.2013
I would love to hear about your brunch experiences in Chicago. I’m an Iowa girl transplanted to Chicagoland. I LOVE the big city and there is just something about brunch in the city you can’t beat!
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance 05.30.2013
This looks so delicious! I definitely need to make this for lunch!
Cat Yates 05.30.2013
I love berry salads. They are so fresh and light in the summer. Throw in avocado? Wow. It looks amazing, as usual!
Jess 05.30.2013
Old Town Oil is AMAZING!! I could drink the vinegars straight! I used to live by there and get a bottle or two whenever I go back. There is no place like that in the Quad Cities :( Their vinegars make summer salads incredible! The Basil Olive Oil is very yummy mixed with the Strawberry Vinegar!!
nic. 05.30.2013
YUM! We have a kegged oil shop like that here in Minneapolis and I’ve always wanted to go! This post will be the pusher.
Julie 05.30.2013
This looks amazing! I’m definitely making this this weekend. So glad I found your site.
Mary @foodandfunontherun 05.30.2013
I love Old Town Oil! I always stop there when I am in the city!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) 05.30.2013
Wow, I don’t think I have ever wanted salad so much. The colors are so intoxicating!
Sally 05.30.2013
This salad looks divine! I love summer salads that incorporate fruit. And that balsamic vinegar! Might have to order some – yummmmm.
Jamie @ Sometimes Healthy Living Blog 05.30.2013
Seriously, do you ever make a recipe that I don’t enjoy? This truly looks amazing.
I actually visited a similar store in Newport, RI this weekend. It was so fun to try all of the different oils and vinegars! I wish they had bread in the store for dipping ;-) I tried the strawberry but it was a bit strong. The fig was amazing, and I bought a huge bottle – I think I can substitute that in this recipe!
Aisling 05.30.2013
Sounds divine, I will definitely be giving this a go! Gorgeous pics too.
Lauren Williams 05.30.2013
I just love fruit on salads!! This looks really good and I have never heard of that type of cheese so I will have to check it out! Too bad about your poor flip flip feet, it’s that time of year for breaking in new summer shoes and getting a few blisters :(