Cheese And Strawberry Salad: Perfect Pairing Ideas

A strawberry salad is a great way to celebrate the arrival of spring and summer. This colourful dish is a crowd-pleaser and can be adapted in numerous ways. For a classic strawberry spinach salad, a combination of feta, goat's cheese, or blue cheese is a popular choice. For a vegan option, simply skip the cheese and add avocado for a creamy texture. For those who enjoy a sweet and savoury combination, a balsamic reduction adds a tangy twist to the salad.

Feta, goat's cheese, gorgonzola, or blue cheese

Feta, goat's cheese, gorgonzola, and blue cheese are all excellent choices for a strawberry salad. Each of these cheeses will complement the sweetness of the strawberries and add a creamy texture to your salad.

Feta is a popular choice for strawberry salads, as its salty tang pairs well with the fruit. It is also a key ingredient in a classic strawberry spinach salad. For the best texture and flavour, buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself.

Goat's cheese is another delicious option, offering a soft and creamy texture that goes well with the fruit. It is a good choice for those who prefer a milder cheese.

If you're looking for something a little stronger, gorgonzola is a mild blue cheese that adds a decadent and tangy flavour to your strawberry salad. It pairs well with poppy seed dressing, which is commonly used in strawberry salads.

Blue cheese is also a great choice for those who want a stronger flavour. It can be crumbled over the salad and paired with a variety of nuts, such as walnuts or pecans.

When making a strawberry salad, consider the type of greens you will use as a base. Arugula, spinach, and rocket all work well with these cheeses and strawberries. You can also add other ingredients like cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and red onions for a more complex and flavourful salad.

Mozzarella or avocado for a creamy texture

Avocado is a fruit that is known for its rich, creamy texture. It has a subtle flavour and is packed with healthy fats, making it a nutritious addition to any salad. In a strawberry salad, avocado adds a smooth, buttery mouthfeel that complements the sweetness of the strawberries.

On the other hand, mozzarella is a soft, mild-flavoured cheese that is also known for its creamy mouthfeel. It is a popular choice for salads as it absorbs the flavours of other ingredients while adding a satisfying, indulgent texture.

When deciding between avocado and mozzarella for a strawberry salad, consider the overall flavour profile and nutritional needs. Avocado provides a more substantial source of healthy fats, while mozzarella adds protein to the dish. Both ingredients have a mild flavour that will enhance the sweetness of the strawberries without overwhelming the dish.

For a well-rounded salad, combining avocado and mozzarella can create a delightful contrast of textures and flavours. The avocado provides a denser, buttery mouthfeel, while the mozzarella adds a lighter, more delicate creaminess. Together, they can elevate a strawberry salad, making it a delicious and nutritious option for any meal.

Whether you choose avocado, mozzarella, or a combination of both, your strawberry salad is sure to be a tasty and satisfying treat.

Toasted pecans, walnuts, or pistachios for crunch

Toasted pecans, walnuts, or pistachios add a nutty crunch to your strawberry salad. Toasting the nuts first makes them crisp and enhances their flavour.

To toast pecans or walnuts, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake in the oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. You can also toast them in a pan over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, tossing them frequently to avoid burning.

For pistachios, you can use roasted pistachios or toast them yourself.

Once toasted, roughly chop the nuts and sprinkle them over your strawberry salad. You can also add other ingredients such as cheese, avocado, and a tangy balsamic dressing to create a delicious and nutritious dish.

Spinach, arugula, or butter lettuce

A strawberry spinach salad is a great option for a healthy lunch or a side dish for a party. Spinach and strawberries are a classic combination, and adding arugula gives the salad a peppery twist.

For a strawberry spinach salad, you can use either feta or goat cheese. Feta adds a touch of creaminess to the salad, while goat cheese has a strong tangy flavour and a texture that is perfect for salads. If you want to experiment with other cheeses, you could try goat cheese log, goat cheese crumbles, gorgonzola, mild blue cheese, or even mozzarella or gouda.

To make a strawberry spinach salad, you will need the following ingredients: spinach, strawberries, cheese, and toasted nuts. You can use either pecans, walnuts, or almonds for the nuts, and be sure to toast them first for extra flavour and crispness. You can also add red onions to the salad, but be sure to soak them in water first to remove the harsh aftertaste.

For the dressing, a balsamic poppy seed dressing is a popular choice. To make this, simply combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a mason jar and shake well. You can also add poppy seeds to the dressing for extra texture.

If you're looking for a more substantial meal, you can add grilled chicken, shredded chicken, or quinoa to the strawberry spinach salad. This salad is a great option for a summer lunch or a potluck, and it's sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Similarly, a strawberry arugula salad is a great option for a summer meal. Arugula adds a peppery flavour to the salad, which pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberries. For the cheese, goat cheese is a good choice, as its tangy flavour complements the strawberries nicely. You could also try feta or blue cheese for a different flavour profile.

To make a strawberry arugula salad, you will need arugula, strawberries, cheese, and nuts or seeds. Almonds are a popular choice, but you can also use pecans or walnuts. Be sure to toast the nuts before adding them to the salad. You can also add avocado to the salad for a creamy texture.

For the dressing, a strawberry balsamic vinaigrette is a good option. To make this, simply blend strawberries, avocado oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and salt. You can also add in other ingredients like basil or red wine vinegar to give the dressing a unique flavour.

If you want to make the salad a more substantial meal, you can add grilled chicken or chicken thigh. This strawberry arugula salad is a delicious and healthy option for a summer lunch or dinner.

Finally, a strawberry butter lettuce salad is a great choice for a summer meal. Butter lettuce has a buttery mouthfeel and a light green colour, making it a beautiful and delicious base for the salad. For the cheese, goat cheese is a good choice, as its tangy flavour pairs well with the sweetness of the strawberries. You could also try feta or blue cheese for a different flavour.

To make a strawberry butter lettuce salad, you will need butter lettuce, strawberries, cheese, and nuts. Almonds are a popular choice, but you can also use pecans or walnuts. If you want to add a crunchy element to the salad, you can candy the nuts before adding them.

For the dressing, a strawberry vinaigrette or a balsamic vinaigrette are good options. You can also get creative and make your own dressing using ingredients like olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, and poppy seeds.

If you want to make the salad a more filling meal, you can add grilled chicken, salmon, white beans, or chickpeas. This strawberry butter lettuce salad is a refreshing and tasty option for a summer lunch or dinner.

Honey or maple syrup for sweetness

A strawberry salad is a perfect example of how fresh, in-season ingredients can combine to make a delicious dish in no time.

When it comes to adding a touch of sweetness to your strawberry salad, honey and maple syrup are both excellent options. Here's a guide to help you decide which one to choose:

Honey for Sweetness:

Honey is a natural sweetener that has been used for centuries. It is made by bees that collect nectar from flowers and turn it into honey through a process of regurgitation and evaporation. Honey has a distinct sweet flavour and a thick, sticky consistency. It is often used as a sweetener in various dishes, including salads.

When adding honey to your strawberry salad, consider using a high-quality honey, such as raw honey or organic honey, as it will have a more complex flavour and deeper sweetness. You can drizzle honey over your salad as a finishing touch or incorporate it into a dressing. Honey pairs well with other ingredients like balsamic vinegar, mustard, and olive oil to create a well-rounded dressing.

Maple Syrup for Sweetness:

Maple syrup is a natural sweetener derived from the xylem sap of maple trees. It has a unique flavour and is commonly used as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and French toast. However, maple syrup can also be used to add sweetness to salads and dressings.

When using maple syrup in your strawberry salad, look for pure maple syrup, which is made by boiling down the sap of maple trees without any additional ingredients. Grade A maple syrup tends to have a milder flavour and lighter colour, while Grade B has a stronger flavour and darker colour. You can use maple syrup in place of honey in a dressing, adjusting the amount to suit your taste preferences.

How to Decide:

Both honey and maple syrup will add sweetness to your strawberry salad, but they have distinct flavour profiles. Honey tends to have a stronger, more floral flavour, while maple syrup has a slightly earthy and smoky taste. Consider the other ingredients in your salad and choose the sweetener that will complement them best. For example, if your salad has ingredients like blue cheese, walnuts, or pecans, maple syrup might be a better match. On the other hand, if your salad has ingredients like feta cheese or a lighter vinaigrette, honey could be the perfect choice.

Additionally, consider the colour and presentation of your salad. Honey tends to be lighter in colour and can blend seamlessly into a dressing. Maple syrup, especially the darker varieties, will add a richer, amber hue to your dish.

Ultimately, the choice between honey and maple syrup is a matter of personal preference. You can experiment with both options and adjust the amount to suit your taste. Remember, you can also create a dressing that combines honey and maple syrup, emphasising the unique flavours of each ingredient to create a complex and intriguing sweetener.

Frequently asked questions