Berry Spinach Salad w/ Strawberry Dressing

I really, really, really...I mean really...(did I make that clear enough)...LOVE salads. Say what? I know you are shocked, right...I mean it isn't like I have shared some before right...ehem...here and here oh and maybe here...wait and don't forget here.

I have a new favorite. AND i mean fav-oh-right.

I have seen any combo of spinach and berry salads floating around. I have also seen a plethora...(yes I used a big word...thanks Junior year Rhetoric English...thanks to the teacher who hated me...can't even remember his name)... of strawberry dressing recipes.

After searching and searching I came to two conclusions...THIS strawberry dressing is THE best...AND I wanted to make my own Berry Salad...unique to my tastes.

Ya' want to know what I found...this dressing plus my salad combo equals happy, happy, joy, joy...no I did not watch that show...name it if you can.


So with happiness in my mouth and joy in my belly, I give you my Berry Spinach Salad with Strawberry Dressing recipe.

Delightful.

Berry Salad with Strawberry Dressing 

Ingredients:

Salad-
1 bag baby spinach
2 cups sliced strawberries
1 - 1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 cup pecan pieces, sugared*
1/4 cups sugar, for pecans

Dressing-
adapted from Our Best Bites

1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon grated onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup strawberries
2/3 cups canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Combine vinegar, honey, sugar, garlic, onion, salt and berries in a blender. Blend until everything is completely smooth. While the blender is still on, slowly pour in oil. Then hand stir in the poppy seeds. Store in the refrigerator until ready to be served on salad.

To make salad-

*First sugar pecans, by placing them in a frying pan with the sugar over med high heat. Regularly stir the pecan/sugar mixture. Sugar will first clump a little and then melt. As it melts it will coat the pecans. Stir more constantly here until most of the sugar is liquid and has coated the pecans. When all coated, turn the pecans onto a cookie sheet and spread out with a fork. Let cool.

Combine the spinach, strawberries, and blueberries. Sprinkle with sugared pecans just before serving. Drizzle dressing over the entire salad or serve separately..

I am not kidding when I say this is my new favorite salad. I am pretty sure I had it the next day for lunch...and would have had it again for dinner if there were salad left.

Plus...isn't it just the most beautiful salad evah...

Enjoy everyone!