Description
A refreshing Strawberry Poppy Seed Salad featuring crisp romaine lettuce, sweet fresh strawberries, thinly sliced onions, and crunchy candied almonds, all tossed in a creamy, tangy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or as a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds
- 1 bunch romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces (about 8 cups)
- 1 small onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, halved
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 tablespoon 2% milk
- 2-1/4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Instructions
- Make the Candied Almonds: Place the 1/4 cup sugar in a small, heavy skillet over medium-low heat. Cook and stir continuously for about 10 minutes until the sugar melts and turns a caramel color. Add the slivered almonds and stir to coat them evenly with the caramelized sugar. Spread the coated almonds onto a sheet of foil and allow them to cool completely, then break into smaller pieces.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the torn romaine lettuce, thinly sliced onion, and halved fresh strawberries to prepare the base of the salad.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons sugar, sour cream, 2% milk, apple cider vinegar, and poppy seeds until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a creamy and tangy dressing.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all the components evenly with the dressing.
- Add Candied Almonds and Serve: Sprinkle the candied almond pieces over the top of the salad for added crunch and flavor. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- Be careful when melting sugar as it can burn quickly; stir continuously for even caramelization.
- You can substitute slivered almonds with pecans or walnuts if preferred.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
- Serve immediately after tossing to keep the lettuce crisp and the candied almonds crunchy.
- Strawberries can be replaced with other berries like blueberries or raspberries based on seasonality.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American