Strawberry, Cheddar and Arugula Salad
Like many of my recipes, this salad sprung from a fridge full of odds and ends. I had extra cheddar from my bake sale, strawberries that were super ripe and a bunch of arugula. I was determined to combine these ingredients into a cohesive salad, and this recipe definitely fits the bill!
Since the cheddar and vinaigrette both bring pretty strong flavors to the table, I decided to throw some lentils into the mix. The lentils add a nutty flavor that balances out the other players in this salad. Meanwhile, the strawberries add a fresh and subtle sweetness that keeps the salad feeling light.
Let me know what you think of the recipe and don't forget to follow the sustainability tips below!
Makes: 2-4 servings
Time: 10 minutes
Dressing
2/3 cup strawberries, hulled (about 6 medium strawberries)
1 tablespoon honey
Note: if your strawberries are a little white on the inside, you might need to add more honey to taste
3 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Salad
2 1/2 packed cups arugula
1 cup dry green lentils, cooked and salted
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into small cubes
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
1 cup strawberries, sliced
Methods
To make the dressing, place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
To assemble the salad, toss together the arugula and green onions to combine. Then, add the lentils, cheddar and strawberries and toss just a few times. If you toss too much, the lentils will settle at the bottom of the salad. Drizzle the dressing and eat up!
Sustainability Tips
Strawberries, arugula and green onions: Make this salad when all the produce is in season in late spring. Doing this will make it easier to find local and organic produce. Buying organically and locally cuts down on pesticide contamination and can help you get to know your local food producers.
Cheddar cheese: Since cows contribute a lot to climate change, I like to buy my dairy products from B Corps, which are held to really high environmental and social standards. Alternatively, you could buy from a local dairy producer.