I brought this salad to a (rather chilly) picnic at the end of March when the first strawberries of the season appeared at the market and I wanted to eat them in everything. Two cups of arugula and two cups of mache tossed with sliced strawberries, halved grape tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and a mustard vinaigrette. It disappeared in minutes.
Mache is a soft, mild lettuce that most people have never bought on purpose. Mixed with peppery arugula, it creates a bed with two textures: tender and sharp. The strawberries and grape tomatoes sit on top like jewels, red on green, and the sunflower seeds give every forkful a crunch.
Tips for Making a Strawberry Spring Salad
Use the ripest strawberries you can find
Firm, white-centred strawberries taste sour in a salad. You want berries that are red all the way through, soft enough to smell from a foot away.
Slice them thin. Thick strawberry slices overpower smaller bites. Thin slices distribute the sweetness across the whole salad.
Dress lightly and toss just before serving
Two tablespoons of mustard vinaigrette is enough for this amount of greens. Over-dressing wilts the mache and drowns the strawberries.
Toss gently. The goal is to coat the leaves, not soak them. Serve immediately. This salad does not hold well.
Strawberry Spring Salad
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian
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Description
This Strawberry Spring Salad is a refreshing mix of arugula, maché, strawberries, and grape tomatoes, topped with sunflower seeds and a mustard vinaigrette.
Ingredients
Units
- 2 cups arugula
- 2 cups maché
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 2 tablespoons mustard vinaigrette
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the arugula and maché.
- Add the sliced strawberries and halved grape tomatoes.
- Sprinkle the sunflower seeds over the salad.
- Drizzle with mustard vinaigrette and toss gently to combine.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
For a more filling salad, consider adding grilled chicken or tofu. Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. You can substitute maché with baby spinach if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 0
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mache?
A small-leafed lettuce, also called lamb’s lettuce or corn salad. It has a mild, slightly nutty flavour and a velvety texture. Baby spinach is the closest substitute.
Can I use a different dressing?
Mustard vinaigrette is sharp and pairs well with the sweet strawberries. A lemon vinaigrette or simple red wine vinegar and olive oil also work. Avoid creamy dressings, they hide the fruit.
Can I add protein to this?
Grilled chicken or tofu both work. Keep the protein simple and lightly seasoned so it does not compete with the strawberries and mustard vinaigrette.
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