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.
Michelle 07.20.2013
Made this without the basil, and used raspberry balsamic and blood orange olive oil to dress. Eaters were delighted with the flavors. THANK YOU for this inspired summer recipe!
Peach Caprese Salad | Iowa Girl Eats 07.16.2013
[…] basil, then drizzle with the best extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar you have. I used the strawberry balsamic vinegar I got in Chicago a few months ago, which was incredible. Reduced balsamic vinegar would be […]
4th of July: Salads and Salsas | because you asked me to 07.02.2013
[…] Triple Berry Summer Salad via Iowa Girl Eats. […]
Emily 07.01.2013
This salad was delicious and super quick! My family and I loved it! I recently featured this recipe in my most recent meal plan on my blog rainbowdelicious.com. Thanks so much! I will definitely be checking back here to try more of your recipes in the future.
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[…] chives, leftover grilled veggies, and red onion would all be fantastic in here. Ooo or a drizzle of strawberry balsamic! Just a thought. : […]
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[…] Â Triple-Berry Summer Salad ~ This colorful salad is bursting with flavor! Â Berries, avocado, baby spinach, goat cheese, […]
ultimate reset meal plan 06.06.2013
A perfect salad for those you are in process of losing weight, a great diet for them and I am one of theme. Love it!
Kim @ Fabulous Fit Foodie 06.03.2013
Made this for lunch and it was delicious! I added blackberries and a tablespoon of oscar meyer real bacon bits. I forgot the avocado, but I’m making it again tomorrow and going to add that for sure!
Bo 06.03.2013
Wow! I printed it off immediately. This one is definitely a keeper. Wouldn’t have thought of adding the basil, but I do love fresh basil.
Lesley 06.03.2013
What a perfect salad now that it’s warming up. Love the berries – perfect mix with the goat cheese. Sweet and salty, yum.
Eve 06.03.2013
Those pictures did it for me – off to get some ingredients right now!
Thanks for this one.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious 06.03.2013
This is definitely a must-make! I love ALL berries and I really do need to incorporate more salad into my diet – my skinny jeans are becoming unbearable to wear at this point!
Corrin 06.01.2013
Made it for dinner last night with ribs. Having it again tonight with grilled chicken. Yum!!!
Sara Howe 06.01.2013
YUM!!! This looks amazing. I just got out of bed and want it right now haha
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste 05.31.2013
Love pairing sweet, fresh fruit with tangy goat cheese! Can’t wait to try your recipe!
Trish - Mom On Timeout 05.31.2013
Now that is one gorgeous salad! I’m a total sucker for anything with raspberries :)
Food for Thought | Conscious Kitchen Blog 05.31.2013
[…] 1. I’ve been obsessed with fruit in my salad lately (not to be confused with fruit salad, which is equally as good) and I need NEED to try this one. […]
Darien 05.31.2013
Speaking of chèvre- have you tried the honey chèvre at Trader Joe’s? It’s out of this world good. Creamy, tangy, and sweet. You can really taste the honey without it being over powering or too sweet. We love it stuffed in dates and on salads especially!
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[…] Summer Berry Salad (Iowa Girl Eats) : I love fruit in my salads. Berries + almonds = yum! […]