Summer is here and that means salad season!
Fresh strawberries, feta cheese, crispy bacon all covered in a hot bacon dressing.
One of my favorite times of year is strawberry season.
Ever since I can remember - for YEARS - I've gone strawberry picking at our local strawberry patch. Growing up, it was one near my hometown and for the past 10+ years the kids and I have gone to a few different ones near our home.
I even VIVIDLY remember taking a 3 week old newborn picking {with the help of a good friend} - it wasn't one of my finer moments {lots of crying from both me and the baby}, but in the end we got our strawberries!
Since I was little we have always made multiple batches of strawberry freezer jam and then whatever other desserts we want. We love this Strawberry Upside Down Cake! Plus, I'll often freeze a bunch whole for smoothies later on.
But on top of a salad? Well, this was a first for me.
I've had various strawberry spinach salads over the years at restaurants, but I've never made my own. When dreaming this one up I wanted it to be both sweet and savory as I love that fun combination. I had done some work with Godshall's Turkey Bacon, so that was my main savory ingredient. I also love, love, love feta cheese in and on most everything so I threw that on too!
Strawberries this time of year are gorgeous and bursting with flavor so I figured they'd play well with the saltier ingredients.
And if I'm eating a SALAD - I need a good dressing. I once had a hot bacon dressing on top of a spinach salad and it was amazing, so I also knew I needed to recreate that.
I've always said - bacon makes everything better, right? Nothing gets my family to the kitchen quicker than the smell of bacon. I worked with Godshall's earlier this Summer and really like their turkey bacon. It's leaner and a good change now and then!
After you cook up the bacon - you make the most incredible dressing from the remaining bacon fat, diced onion, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, honey, olive oil and a little salt and pepper. It gets thick and flavorful.
Pour that dressing warm over the salad and you'll be amazed at the flavor!
I love that this salad can stand alone or be a side dish. Make it what you want! Feeling a bit lighter, eat as the meal. Serving guests, serve it alongside some grilled chicken or fish.
Double or triple the ingredients if feeding a crowd or go halfsies if eating alone. I promise you'll love this one! The fresh ingredients have a ton of flavor and the warm dressing just brings it all together.
Make individual bowls for guests or serve it family style off a platter.
Again - make it how you want!
Look at that thick, syrupy dressing!
You will have to forgive yourself when you slurp up a bite straight from the spoon. It's okay - it happens! At least it did to me.
Any extra dressing can be kept in a jar in the fridge for a few days. Just reheat in the microwave before serving again.
Whose ready to try this Summer salad?
I cannot wait to hear how much you enjoy it. Please leave a star rating below on the recipe card if you'd like. It certainly helps others to see if they should try a recipe of mine or not. It's always much appreciated by me!
Until then, happy Summer.
