Strawberry Spinach Salad

Here's one of my favorite summer time recipes. A few years ago, my sister-in-law turned me on to this amazingly scrumptious strawberry spinach salad. It is healthy and refreshing and simple to make. Add grilled shrimp or grilled chicken to make a meal out of it!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Approx. 8 oz. baby spinach leaves
1 pint fresh ripe strawberries, cleaned, hulled and halved
2-3 Tbsp. red onion, chopped into small slivers
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 Tbsp. sugar

Toss spinach leaves, strawberry halves and red onion in a large salad bowl.

Place almonds and sugar in a sauté pan. Cook over medium-low heat. As sugar melts, stir almond and sugar syrup constantly. The almonds will brown a bit and the sugar will become amber colored, be very careful to not burn the almonds. Turn them out onto a dinner plate to cool. Next, prepare the dressing.

Honey-Lime Dressing

Juice and rind of one good size lime
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup honey
Pinch of salt

Whisk all ingredients together. Just before serving, dress the salad and toss the cooled, candied almonds over the top.