Get your sweet tooth fix without sugar in this strawberry spinach salad recipe with a chocolate vinaigrette!
You may say this recipe takes my chocolate obsession too far, but I say it takes it to just the right place. Introducing: strawberry spinach salad with chocolate vinaigrette. Yes, a green leaf salad with chocolate. Trust me, it works! All berries pair well with chocolate – the natural light sweetness of the berries is complemented perfectly by the deep, bitterness of dark chocolate. Atop a bed of spinach, the two make for a meal or snack you can justify at any time of day.
Considering how easy this strawberry spinach salad recipe is to put together, it sure packs in the flavor. To prevent the berries from getting overwhelmed by too many other add-ins, I like this recipe as simple as it is. However, you can add more bulk with hemp seeds, pistachios, coconut flakes, chopped dried figs or apricots, goat cheese, or shaved dark chocolate, among many other things.
The best part of this salad is that it satisfies any sweet tooth without relying on plain white sugar. So, next time you’re itching to indulge but know you shouldn’t, make this salad instead and get the best of both worlds. Enjoy!
Strawberry Spinach Salad with Chocolate Vinaigrette
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the salad
- 2 loose cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
- 10 ripe strawberries
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
For the vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- Dash of sea salt
- Dash of black pepper
Directions
Distribute the baby spinach leaves equally between two plates. Set aside.
Chop off the stems of the strawberries and slice each strawberry into slivers. Distribute the strawberry slivers equally atop the baby spinach on each plate. Do the same with the sliced almonds.
In a food processor or blender, blend together all of the vinaigrette ingredients until dark and smooth.
Drizzle the vinaigrette over each salad and serve immediately. The vinaigrette can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator – its flavors intensify.
Related on EcoSalon
Raw vegan Chocolate Recipe that Will Totally Melt in Your Mouth
How Does a (Green) Cocoa Bean Grow?
Coconut Chia Pudding with Raspberries and Dark Chocolate
Strawberry Spinach Salad Image from Shutterstock