Savor a lemon strawberry salad before summer ends

A lemon strawberry salad is meant to be savored before summer fades.

As the mentions of Pumpkin Spice, Apple Cider, and other fall flavors creep into our social media feeds, it is important to remember that we are still in the throes of summer.

With that in mind, it is important to enjoy the foods that come with summer while it is still the proper time to eat them. While salads have become a staple of the American diet, summertime is the best season to indulge in salad with a dash of fruit in it.

While at a loved one’s house the other day, I was introduced to a salad that combined the fresh taste of sweet strawberries with the tang of lemon-infused vinaigrette. Not ever being much of a salad person, any hesitation I had about the lemon strawberry salad faded away with the first bite.

A basic salad mix is all that is needed to create the base of the salad. The add-ins are what create the true character of the salad. If you are into putting chicken in the salad, a healthy portion of grilled chicken is recommended to add protein.

In addition to the chicken, candied walnuts are a fantastic option for protein in the salad. Not only do the walnuts bring protein, but they also add a sweet crunch for texture. That is not the sweet star of the salad, however.

Strawberries, sliced evenly after being washed, quickly become the centerpiece of this salad. Nothing compares to taking a bite of strawberry that has been drizzled in the lemon-infused vinaigrette. You’re exposed to the taste of two different yet essential fruits at the same time, and you quickly find out why strawberry-lemon has become a classic flavor combination.

If you’d like to add a dairy compliment to the salad, a dollop or two of ricotta cheese will do. The cheese is a notable addition, without bringing too strong of a cheese flavor to what is designed to be a fruit-centric salad.

After drizzling the lemon-infused vinaigrette on top, your salad is finally ready to be consumed. As summer washes away from us quickly, spare a moment or two to wash down one last summer inspired meal before everything tastes like pumpkin spice or apple cider.