Summer Loving Strawberry Salad

Don't let summer pass by without serving this refreshing strawberry and melon salad at least once or twice!

Recipe Ingredients:

Sherry Vinaigrette:
1/2 cup sherry vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 shallot, cut in half and sliced thin
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad:
2 cups California strawberries, cleaned and quartered
2 cups watermelon, diced small (yellow and red, if available)
1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced
1 handful arugula
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/3 cup candied walnuts or pecans
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese or goat cheese
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses or balsamic syrup

Cooking Directions:

1. For Sherry Vinaigrette: Bring the sherry vinegar and honey to a boil in a small sauce pan.
2. In a small mixing bowl, pour the hot sherry mixture over the shallots and let cool to room temperature. Once cooled, whisk olive oil with the shallots and add salt and pepper to taste.
3. For Salad: In a large mixing bowl add strawberries, watermelon, basil and arugula. Gently drizzle Sherry Vinaigrette over strawberries, watermelon, basil and arugula mixture. Toss and season with salt and pepper.
4. Plate on desired service platter or into bowls. Top with the nuts, cheese, syrup and serve.

Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of California Strawberry Commission. Used with permission.