Giada's Pretty-In-Pink Strawberry Salad Is Perfect For Valentine's Day
A lot of the time when we think of Valentine’s Day fare, our mind drifts to creamy pasta Alfredo, French bistro-style steak frites, chocolate lava cakes oozing with fudge, and other decadent desserts and delights. But you need *something* to lighten up all of those heavy eats, if only so you don’t pass out in your heart-shaped hot tub while struggling to digest your meal sans veggies. Giada de Laurentiis has the perfect solution: a bright, fresh strawberry salad she shared on Giadzy that will add some much needed product to your indulgent Valentine’s Day menu.
This is the type of salad that seems super fancy, but it’s actually really easy to pull together.
The base of the salad is peppery arugula, which helps balance out the sweetness of some of the other ingredients. Toasted sliced almonds add crunch, and shaved Gorgonzola dulce adds a salty, rich, savory note.
Then, there’s the strawberries.
Not only are there sliced strawberries in the salad itself, but they’re also blended into the dressing. Look for the ripest, freshest berries you can find at the store to give the salad the best flavor (give them a sniff – if they smell sweet and fragrant, you’re on the right track).
The dressing is a blend of strawberries, white balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. It’s got a velvety texture and a pink color so pretty, you might be tempted to spill it on a doily and call it a Valentine’s Day card.
This salad is the perfect side to serve with your richer Valentine’s Day dinner dishes. Or, you could top it with grilled chicken or salmon and make an entree out of it. Either way, the sweet-salty flavor and vibrant pink color will make this salad the star of your table on February 14th.
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