Fresh strawberries, baby kale, pecans and warm, creamy goat cheese star in this spring salad. It’s dressed with an easy honey balsamic vinaigrette and perfect for brunch!
This month’s #RecipeRedux is all about spring cleaning. The idea was to look through the fridge and pantry and use an ingredient that’s been hanging out for a while. Now, I’ll admit… I could have come up with a whole lot of recipes with the stuff in my pantry. Why DO I have so many different grains, cheeses, and flours? I digress. That’s a conversation for another day.
I’ve been buying strawberries like they are going out of style. They are so sweet and delicious right now. I have them for breakfast, as a snack or for dessert at least once a day. With so many strawberries hanging out, it was only natural to create a recipe featuring strawberries.
Pushing aside a basket of berries in the fridge, I found a small log of goat cheese. I’ve always enjoyed fried goat cheese on salads. So I was excited to make these fried goat cheese croutons at home for the first time. I love the crispy coating with the warm and gooey center.
Truth be told, I really just wanted to eat the goat cheese with strawberries. I’m kidding… kinda.
As for the greens… baby kale makes a perfect base for this salad. I needed to use the kale because it was about to go to the dark side. This was my second time buying baby kale and possibly my last (for a while). Turns out I prefer regular old kale. No matter. Like a good dietitian, I’m eating my greens. And I love them.
So I cleaned out the kale and goat cheese to create this Strawberry Kale Salad with Goat Cheese Croutons (!) and a drizzle of honey balsamic vinaigrette. Let’s get to the recipe…
Strawberry Kale Salad with Goat Cheese Croutons
Ingredients
- 4 cups baby kale
- 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
- ¼ cup pecans
Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Goat Cheese Croutons
- 1 egg or egg whites equivalent
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- 2 ounces goat cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Portion the kale, strawberries, and pecans over two salad plates.
- Shake together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt and pepper in a jar. Set aside. (You will have leftovers for more salad tomorrow!)
- Beat the egg in a bowl. In a separate plate, mix the panko, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Slice the goat cheese into 4 equal medallions. Dip each one in the egg, then the panko mixture.
- In a small skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the breaded goat cheese one by one. Fry until golden brown (about 1-2 minutes per side). Turn once.
- Add two goat cheese medallions to each salad. Drizzle 1-2 tablespoons of the honey balsamic vinaigrette over the salads. Serve.
Notes
I used a piece of dental floss to easily slice the cheese. If the cheese begins to soften, refrigerate the breaded medallions for 15 minutes before frying. Also, you will have leftover dressing.
Siri
Love the combination of Kale, Goat Cheese and Strawberry. Something so new to me. 🙂
Siri
Marisa
It’s quite the harmonious flavor combo. I think you’ll like it! Thanks for stopping by!
Angela Tolsma
Goat Cheese Medallions sound amazing!!
Marisa
They were, Angela! A nice little indulgence.
EA-The Spicy RD
Gorgeous salad Marisa! And, how can you go wrong with goat cheese croutons? Yum!!!
Marisa
Thank you, EA! It’s virtually impossible to go wrong with goat cheese croutons!
DEANNA SEGRAVE DALY
Umm – I’d probably ditch the kale and eat strawberry goat cheese crouton mini sammies too – ha. But seriously – I am totally making this 🙂
Marisa
LOL. I see strawberry goat cheese mini sammies in my immediate future. So good!
Betsy Ramirez
Goat cheese croutons?!!! Seriously amazing. Gorgeous salad, Marisa.
Marisa
Thanks, Betsy!!
Alanna
This salad screams spring 🙂 I must make those goat cheese croutons ASAP! Such a light and satisfying meal – YUM.
Marisa
Strawberries are one of my favorite parts of spring. And Yes. Get some goat cheese croutons in your life! You’ll be glad you did!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy
Oh how I love a little bit of fried goat cheese on my salad! I love the dental floss idea!
Marisa
Yes. Such a nice indulgence. And yes the dental floss made slicing the goat cheese effortless – no mess at all.
Liz - Meal Makeover Mom
Goat cheese croutons are one of my favorite things to make. Love your salad!!
Marisa
Thanks, Liz!
Rachael@AvocadoADayNutrition
That is my dream salad! Anytime a menu has goat cheese rounds, I’m in! And I like what you did with that little goat cheese-strawberry sandwich there 😉
Marisa
That little sandwich was everything… LOL.
Cindys Recipes and Writings
Wow goat cheese croutons sound amazing!
Heather Mason @Nutty Nutrition
yummy! I love how you jazzed up the goat cheese! Those “croutons” looks so good!
Marisa
Thank you, Heather! The croutons were clearly my favorite part.