Favorite Strawberry Salads

Last week I was in a restaurant and ordered Strawberry Roasted Red Beet Salad. It was very good. The produce was fresh. The strawberries were halved. the red beats were cut in 3/4-inch cubes, and the chicken was grilled and sliced.

For the base layer:

• 1  8-ounce can crushed pineapple
• 2 cups apple juice
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries (about 1 1/2 pounds before trimming and slicing)
• 1 banana, sliced
• 3/4 cup pecan pieces
• 2 3-ounce packages strawberry flavored gelatin
• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
• 2 cups whipped topping such as Dream Whip®

1. Drain the pineapple and reserve the juice.  Set the drained pineapple aside.
2. In a saucepan, bring the apple juice mixture to a boil.  Pour the hot juice into a bowl and add the gelatin.  Stir to dissolve.  Refrigerate until partially set.
3. Beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise together until light and fluffy.  Fold in the gelatin mixture.    Fold in the whipped topping.
4. Fold the pineapple, strawberries, sliced banana, and pecans into the remaining cream cheese mixture.  Pour into an 8 x 13 pan.  Chill until the top sets, about 20 minutes.

For the top layer:

• reserved pineapple juice plus water to make one cup
• 1 packet unflavored gelatin
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup whipped topping such as Dream Whip

1. Bring the juice and water mixture to a boil.  Dissolve the unflavored gelatin in the boiling water.  Turn the heat down, add the marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are dissolved.  Set aside to cool until tepid but not set.
2. Fold in the whipped topping.  Spread the topping mixture over the fruit mixture.  Chill for several hours before serving.

Strawberry Cucumber Salad (pictured above)

Fresh fruit is always refreshing. This salad is made with ripe strawberries and cool cucumbers. It’s framed with a honey vinaigrette and served on spinach greens. This is a wonderful mid-summer salad.

Ingredients

1 C. frozen peas
2 C. fresh strawberries, sliced
1 medium cucumber chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 cup walnut pieces

1/4 cup white wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 teaspoon salt

spinach greens

Directions

1. Mix the peas, strawberries, cucumber, and nuts together. The peas do not need to be thawed.
2. In another bowl make the vinaigrette, by mixing the vinegar, honey, oil, and salt together.
3. To serve, arrange spinach greens on a plate, place the strawberry mixture on the greens, and serve the dressing on the side.

Chicken Strawberry Spring Salad

This is a bright fresh salad, a chicken salad that comes alive with strawberries, nuts and cheese.

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
4 cups iceberg or Bibb lettuce shredded
1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
1 cup vinaigrette dressing or your choosing
3/4 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup crumbled asiago or bleu cheese

Directions

1. Cook and season the chicken breasts.  Cut into slices.
2. Arrange the shredded lettuce on salad plates.  Top with sliced chicken and then sliced strawberries.  Drizzle with vinaigrette1 1/2 cups sliced fresh strawberries.  Sprinkle with nuts and cheese and serve immediately.