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At the time of publication, all recipes were free of the allergens listed as being free of in the title (i.e. soy-free, milk-free, etc.), and all other information shared was accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Though I strive to update outdated information quickly and work diligently to make sure you have the most accurate information possible at all times, it is your duty to double check labels EVERY TIME to ensure that the ingredients you use are SAFE FOR YOU.
DO NOT RELY SOLELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS INGREDIENTS AND INFORMATION DO CHANGE.
Your doctor or allergist should also be your first go-to for information on how to handle your medical needs. That being said, if you DO notice an error, please send me an email letting me know (tell me what page or recipe the error is on, what the error is, etc.), and I will correct the error ASAP.
Thank you so much!

Please Be Advised:
I make sure all of my recipes use foods that are free of the allergens they say they are free of. You will need to do the same. For help with this, please see the appropriate "Alternative Names" page for the allergen(s) you need the recipe free of.

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Spring Fling, Blogger-Style!: Strawberry Spinach Salad (Soy, Wheat, Egg, Fish and Milk-Free, Can Be Nut-Free)

~*Welcome to*~
TODAY is the LAST day of our Spring-filled link-up with Jo of Jo, My Gosh! and I.  I hope you have gotten by to see Jo's contributions to this week's link-up.  If not, you should!  I hope you have already joined in the festivities and link-up below, too (rules below), but (if not) you have until 11:59pm EST tonight to do so. :)  Don't forget that TOMORROW we will each be sharing our TOP 3 FAVES with you all, too!

If I haven't been by to visit your submission yet, I will be soon!  I can't wait to see what you have shared with us!
Here's what I've shared with you so far:
  1. Sean's Banana Berry Birthday Smoothie (Soy, Wheat, Nut, Fish and Egg-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)
     
  2. Super Simple Roasted Asparagus (Soy, Wheat, Egg, Nut, Milk and Fish-Free)
     
  3. Beef and Barley Stew (Soy, Nut, Fish, Egg and Wheat-Free, Can Be Milk-Free)
     
  4. Mint Smoothie (Soy, Nut, Fish, Egg and Wheat-Free, Can Be Milk-Free and Diabetic Friendly)
Today, I am sharing a recipe for Strawberry Spinach Salad that I modified from this one on Allrecipes.com as submitted by Mona. It is soy (if you use all soy-free ingredients), wheat, egg, milk and fish-free, and can be nut-free (see variations), and so very simple and delicious.  It is sure to be a winner for get-togethers and picnics as you can make as much or as little as you like.  I hope you enjoy it.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Sweet Vinaigrette made with Raspberry Balsamic Vinegar

 Strawberry Spinach Salad
Romaine lettuce, chopped, 1 head or to taste
baby spinach, whole or chopped, 1 bunch or to taste
strawberries, sliced, 1 lb. or to taste
almonds or pecans, sliced or pieces, to taste
red onions, shallots or green onions, to taste
  
  1. Place all ingredients in a large serving bowl and toss well; serve as is or drizzle and toss with the Sweet Vinaigrette listed below or serve with the Sweet Vinaigrette on the side.

Sweet Vinaigrette
1/2 Cup white sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1/3 Cup vinegar of choice
(I recommend using Apple Cider, Raspberry Balsamic or Balsamic)

1 Cup olive oil

  1. Mix all ingredients in a medium bowl with wire whisk or in a blender until well blended; toss desired amount with the salad or serve on the side. (Note: If you use a Balsamic vinegar, it will be brown in color, so you may want to serve it on the side vs. tossing it in with the salad if you find that color off-putting.  You do not have to use all the dressing to toss into the salad either if you find the amount too much.)
  2.   
Variations (Please keep your particular allergen needs in mind when using substitutions!):
  • Nut-Free: Leave out the almonds/pecans.
     
  • Diabetic Friendly: You can sub any sugar substitute for the sugar in the dressing.  You can even use honey, if you can have it, but the taste will be different.
      
  • No Onions: You can leave out the onions if you don't like them or cannot have them.
     
  • Add Cheese: If you want to add some cheese, feel free.  Any flavor you think would taste good will work.  Swiss or White Cheddar would be especially good.
     
  • Other Fruits: If you don't like or cannot have strawberries, you could sub another fruit like raspberries or apples or even oranges, tangerine or grapefruit.  You could even add a few different kinds together if you wished.
     
  • If you like poppy seeds, the vinaigrette originally called for 3 Tablespoons of them, so feel free to add them if you wish.
That's all there is to it!  What could be simpler or more colorful for Spring?

What is your favorite salad?











~*~*~*~
Now It's Your Turn!
Grab A Badge!
 



(This recipe was originally posted on my original site, Natural and Free.)

6 comments:

  1. I'm allergic to strawberries so this one is out for me, but maybe it would be good without the strawberries? I still cannot wait to try one of Sean's favorite smoothies. :) -Lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First, you could most definitely leave them out, but I would sub another fruit like apples or raspberries, even oranges would work. I'm going to add that variation for you and others like you who are allergic to strawberries. :)

      Thanks for stopping by, and when you do try the smoothie, I hope you love it! :)

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the invite. I didn't link up my april fools post but I did link up a couple of recipes that I hope you'll enjoy! I'm having a birthday celebration with 4 days of giveaways and fun. Today was the first day and there's a link party and a giveaway for some amazing spices! I think you'll love it!

    http://4you-withlove.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-birthday-party-begins.html

    Marilyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for linking up, Marilyn, and for the invite! Your link-up party sounds great! :) I will definitely stop by.

      Take care, and have a great weekend! :)

      Delete
  3. I love strawberries and spinach together! YUMMM Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! :)

    Hope that your week is fantastic!

    Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cindy! We've had some sickness going on here this week, but attitudes have been good, so that's a plus. :) Hopefully the weekend will be illness-free! :D

      I love the strawberry/spinach combo, too. One of my faves. :) Great minds think alike!

      Thanks for stopping by and for the Pinterest and Twitter love! :)

      Delete

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