Salmon and Strawberry Spinach Salad with Kentucky Maple Vinaigrette


There are a few places that will always remain my favorite places on Earth.  Places that I could visit again and again, and each time, feel like I'm home.  One is back home in Santa Barbara- Alice Keck Park.  The second in Paris- Place de Vosges.  And another, here in Raleigh.  The Raleigh Rose Garden. 

 Taken last Fall

The Raleigh Rose Garden is somewhat of a hidden garden, tucked away in a neighborhood, and behind a theater.  And I'm not sure what it is about this magical place, but I visit it as often as I can, in season, and out.  It's got benches to sit on and catch up with friends.  A grassy area perfect for picnicking (or exercising).  And a small fountain.

3 years ago at this time of year.  This was right after we picked Ocean up, and of course... 
he fell in the fountain.

Ocean (now 3 yrs. old) enjoying a picnic with us, back in the Fall.

But my favorite part is the stone trellis towards the back that offers a shaded walk around the perimeter of what I've found to be the closest thing to a real Secret Garden.  And each year, I patiently wait until Spring.  Knowing it won't be much longer until May comes, the heart of Spring.  And with it, the new blooms that bring thousands to admire and take the time to slow down and literally smell the roses.

So this recipe is all about Spring.  And the first thing that came to mind was how much I'm longing to see the new blooms at the Rose Garden.  I decided to create a salad that offers many of the flavors and colors of Spring.  Plus a dressing that compliments it all with its sweet and textured flavor, using maple syrup and both sesame and poppy seeds.

And don't feel like you have to use fresh salmon. I used to be afraid of the canned stuff, but these days you can find wild-caught, top quality salmon at health food stores and even your local grocer.  This makes for a quick meal since it's easy to always keep on hand.

Perfect for a delicious yet frugal lunch or dinner. Or made up in a jar to take on your next Spring adventure.



Salmon and Strawberry Spinach Salad with Kentucky Maple Vinaigrette

3 cups baby spinach
6 oz. salmon (canned or fresh, cooked)
8 strawberries, sliced
Thin slices of red onion, to taste
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1/4 c. maple syrup
1 Tblsp. red onion, chopped
2 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp. poppy seeds
Dash salt and pepper

For the dressing, mix olive oil, vinegar, maple syrup, red onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, salt and pepper in a mason jar and shake to combine. Top on a salad made of spinach, salmon and sliced strawberries.

To make the salad in mason jars, add dressing to the bottom, then spinach, red onion, salmon, strawberries and more spinach.  Shake before serving to mix.

Serves 2 (the dressing serves 4-6)




Comments

  1. Lovely salad and how great the way it can be packed to go!

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  2. Both you and Isabel have me drooling with your gorgeous salmon salads! I could eat this every day!!! And your Ocean is so sweet :)

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    1. Thanks Liz, Ocean loves the garden too! And yes, so fun that Isabel and I both did salmon salads- can't wait to try hers too!

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  3. Love the idea of making this a mason jar salad!! I just love strawberry salad!

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  4. I love the creativity of putting salad in a mason jar.

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    1. Thanks! Makes it much easier to bring along! And thanks for hosting this week, what a great one!

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  5. Your salad is picture perfect!! I love it in the jar too! Ocean looks like such a cute pup!!

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    1. Thank you Tara! Yes, Ocean is the best... he was a terror as a pup, but grew out of it, thank goodness :-)

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  6. I absolutely love strawberries and spinach together

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  7. I love your little jar salads....makes me yearn for a picnic.

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    1. Thanks Wendy! And me too! I bought a box of jars a few years back and use them for everything!

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  8. What a beautiful salad! And your presentation is fabulous! I love the mason jars too!

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  9. I love adding berries to salad. So refreshing! What a great idea of making it up in mason jars for portability!

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    1. Thanks! I also love adding blueberries to salads!

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  10. My kids would go CRAZY for your mouthwatering salmon and spinach salad! Yum!

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    1. That is awesome, Jennifer! Let me know if you try it... it comes together so quickly!

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  11. This salad looks beautiful and so light. I love that you can take it to go as well. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thank you Carrie! It's become a favorite already :-)

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    1. I agree! I found a recipe for a Kentucky Vinaigrette and modified it a bit by adding the maple. I couldn't find any background on it after tons of searching, but loved that it uses the sesame and poppy seeds. It's really yummy!

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  13. Salmon and strawberries is seriously one of my favorite food combinations out there. This looks SO good. I love the mason jars too, so pretty!

    -Julie @ Texan New Yorker

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  14. I'd love to see the Place des Vosges someday! Love beautiful gardens! And I have to say, I love your photo style. :)

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    1. Katie, hope you get too... it's the most beautiful place ever! Thanks for stopping by :-)

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  15. I love salads in a jar. Your salmon salad looks so pretty displayed that way!

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  16. Awwwww, how fun and what a cute dog!! This salad is my idea of a perfect picnic lunch!

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    1. Thanks Gwen! Yes, we've got the best pup ever :-)

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  17. I want to visit your Southern secret garden with Ocean...and you...Love the salad in a jar for the looks and flavor profile!

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    1. Thank you Kim! It would be so fun if you visited- you're welcome any time!!

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  18. That dressing sounds wonderful! Beautiful salad.

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