It’s that time of year where everyone is heating up their barbeques and getting together with family and friends to enjoy the summertime.  I will sometimes have a hard time finding foods to eat when I attend other people’s BBQ’s because I’m picky and unfortunately I know exactly how many calories and fat is in all of the food choices, so I always make sure I bring something that I like to eat.  And this recipe just so happens to get eaten up by everyone:

Strawberry, Candied Walnut, Goat Cheese (optional) Salad

Ingredients:

Organic spring mix (or spinach)

Fresh Strawberries

Candied Walnuts (Ingredients – raw walnuts – 1 ½ cups, sugar – ½ cup, and salt – few pinches)

Goat Cheese (optional – note that a little of this goes a long way)

Balsamic dressing (I prefer Trader Joe’s Fat Free version)

First off, I make the candied walnuts by putting them on a baking sheet (oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 5 minutes.  Then you allow them to cool.  While those are cooling I slice the strawberries so that they look nice and I typically leave the ends out.  Once the walnuts cool you can put the sugar in a pan on medium to high heat.  Once the sugar starts to caramelize (nice light brown color), you turn off the heat and add the walnuts coating them using a wood spoon.  Before the sugar cools completely I lay down a piece of parchment paper or wax paper with a little cooking spray on top and pull them apart.  Sprinkle a few pinches of salt on top and let them cool completely.  Once you are ready to serve the salad put all the ingredients in a large bowl including the dressing.

I love this salad because it’s delicious and easy!  The combination of fresh strawberries and greens, crunchiness from the walnuts, creaminess from the goat cheese, and all mixed together with the balsamic dressing… my mouth is watering, ENJOY!

Namaste