First up in our fancy homemade Valentine’s Day meal are the cute little drinks and the salad. The two are tied together through strawberry slices, which are perfect for Valentine’s Day since they look just like sweet little hearts.
The Strawberry Spritzers are so easy to make that it isn’t even really a recipe…and for very little effort you get something that is absolutely adorable! I made a caramelized onion dressing to serve with the salad (because I also use caramelized onion for the pasta and beef recipes), but you could make it even easier and use your favorite prepared salad dressing…I think anything with a balsamic vinegar base would be fantastic since the strawberry/balsamic combo is delicious!
With the drinks and the salad out of the way, stay tuned because I’ll be posting the recipes for blush pasta and individual beef roulades soon! Don't forget to check out All Through the Year Cheer...Brandy is hosting our Valentine's Day event and she made some incredible looking cookies! ;)
Strawberry Spritzers
(Yield: 2 servings)
1 liter sparkling strawberry-flavored water (or any flavored sparkling water you like)
A handful of strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
Pour the sparkling water into glasses and float the strawberry slices in the water.
Savory Strawberry Salad
(Yield: 2 first-course servings)
1 oz goat cheese, crumbled
¼ c chopped walnuts, toasted
About 1 c strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced
About 3 c lettuce (I like to use red or green leaf), washed, dried, and torn into bite-sized pieces
Caramelized Onion Dressing (see recipe below; or you can use any dressing you like)
Caramelized Onion Dressing:
¼ of a very large onion, thinly sliced
2 TB olive oil, divided
1 TB balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper
To make the dressing: In a small pan, heat 1 teaspoon of oil over medium-high heat until the oil starts to ripple, then add the onion and a pinch of salt, and stir to coat the onion with the oil. Cook until the onion starts to soften and turn color (stirring occasionally). Lower to the heat to medium-low and cook (stirring occasionally) until the onion is a rich caramel color. You can add a splash of water at any point in the process if the onions start to stick to the pan too much. In a blender or food processor, puree the caramelized onion with the remainder of the dressing ingredients; add a splash of water to thin out the dressing until it reaches your desired consistency (it should have a creamy texture).
Arrange the lettuce on two salad plates then top with the strawberries, goat cheese, and walnuts. Drizzle the dressing on top (you will have extra dressing).
AlKhabbaz says
How Can I Dry The Fruit Spaically The StrawBerry!?...
admin says
AlKhabbaz, I'm not sure if I understand your question because the strawberries in this recipe are not dried (they're just washed, hulled (i.e., green tops removed), and thinly sliced). If you want to dry strawberries for a different recipe, or just to eat on their own, I have a different post showing how to dehydrate strawberries: https://www.anediblemosaic.com/?p=490. Hope this helps! :)
lara norbury says
those strawberry spritzers look heavenly. i really really want one now. ;D
Lucy says
First up - can't believe I missed these Valentines posts, I have catching up to do. The spritzers are so cute - strawberries are just the perfect shape!
Veronica M. says
AWWWWW! I never thought a salad could look romantic, but you did it with those strawberries. It's so beautiful and I like the way the flavor combos sound...though I just can't do goat cheese. Any ideas on what other cheeses could work?
admin says
Veronica, Hmmm...you could try feta if you don't mind the saltiness...or you could try ricotta salata, which is like feta but a little less salty. Or you could use a crumbled bleu, if you like the sweet/savory bleu cheese combo.
Joanne says
Wow that salad sounds and looks fantastic! I love the strawberry/goat cheese/balsamic combo. You just can't go wrong there.
And this caramelized onion dressing intrigues me. Definitely need to give it a go!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie says
A savory strawberry salad is a terrific idea! Love the drink too!
MaryMoh says
Love both the drink and salad. Romantic...yeah!
chaya says
As usual, beautiful photos of delicious food. Love that salad.
figtreeapps says
This is my kind of salad! Everything I love on one little plate!!!
grace says
i'd be satisfied with a bowl full of heart-shaped strawberries...but a refreshing beverage and flavorful salad are also welcome. :)
Blond Duck says
It's just oozing with love. I adore it!
Nutmeg Nanny says
This looks great! I'm in love with that picture of the strawberry sprtizer where the strawberry looks like a heart. Delicious meal :)
Mimi says
That caramelized onion dressing sound wonderful.
Mimi
sophia says
Strawberry water! I just posted about this...but a spritzer would be even better!
Erica says
The dressing sounds delicious!
Krista says
That salad looks amazing. I bet the goat cheese makes this dish!
Barbara Bakes says
The salad looks so fresh and delicious! Love the beautiful dish!
deana@lostpastremembered says
So refreshing... great idea to put it in a drink... great post Faith!
coco says
really pretty and fresh salad! I wish I had a hubby here so I can celebrate Valentine's.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Hehe Faith, we're on the same page again! This salad looks wonderful. At first I thought "Hmm I've never heard of a savoury fruit salad but then remembered that jus thet other day I made a watermelon and feta salad which was so refreshing. I love the idea of using strawberries! :D
marla {Family Fresh Cooking} says
Can I just crash your Valantine's party? Love this salad with the caramelized onion dressing. Girl, you are good! Your ingredients look so fresh and tasty!
tasteofbeirut says
I will have both of these please!
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
I have got to try that dressing. Caramelized onions are one of my favorite things to eat... You take beautiful pictures by the way :)
Nicole, MS, RD, LD says
Soc cute! Looking at those drinks just makes me want to swoon my hubby!
Reeni says
What a gorgeous and delicious salad! Very vibrant and pretty. I love caramelized onions - the dressing sounds excellent!
lynn says
Your caramelized onion dressing sounds heavenly! Yum, can't wait to give it a try.