What’s better than a refreshing salad to brighten up your day.Today, we’re excited to share a recipe that’s sure to become a new family favorite: the Delicious Baby Spinach and Tomato Salad. This vibrant and nutritious dish is the perfect way to enjoy the bounty of the season and fuel your busy days ahead.
Key Takeaways:
- Refreshing and flavorful baby spinach and tomato salad recipe
- Perfect for summer meals and back to school lunches
- Quick and easy to prepare with simple, delicious ingredients
- Packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats
- Versatile dish that can be customized to your taste preferences
Introducing a Refreshing Summer Salad.
As summer ends and school starts, families look for quick, healthy meals. The refreshing spinach salad is a tasty, easy option for busy weeknights.
A Life Saving Simple Salad for Back to School.
This quick and easy summer salad combines baby spinach, juicy tomatoes, and tangy dressing. It’s a simple back to school salad ready in minutes. It’s a big help for parents during the school year rush.
The salad is great as a side or main dish. It’s full of nutrients from spinach and fresh veggies. This baby spinach salad recipe is perfect for keeping your family healthy during the busy season.
“This salad is a game changer for my family. It’s quick, delicious, and keeps us energized during the hectic back to school time.”
– Sarah, Busy Mom of Three
The FreshSummer Project.
The FreshSummer project is a joint effort between the author and her friend Lora. They share their love for seasonal summer produce through tasty recipes. This baby spinach and tomato salad is part of their August series, highlighting the tomato as the main ingredient.
Earlier, the project featured refreshing recipes with cucumbers and watermelon. These showcased the versatility of summer produce. Readers are invited to follow along and enjoy the variety of summer produce recipes.
On August 16, 2019, the FreshSummer project got 744 shares on social media. This shows the growing interest in seasonal summer salads. The baby spinach and tomato salad recipe made 2-4 servings. It got 25 reviews, with an average rating of 4.8 stars out of 5.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Plum Tomatoes | 5 |
| Sweet or Vidalia Onion | 1 medium |
| Kalamata Olives | Handful |
| Balsamic Vinegar | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Olive Oil | 2-3 tablespoons |
| Chickpeas (optional) | 1 cup, drained and rinsed |
| Baby Spinach Leaves | 2-3 cups |
| Salt and Pepper | To taste |
The salad’s Mediterranean flavors have caught the attention of many. The #FreshSummer project’s focus on summer produce recipes has made this dish popular.
As the #FreshSummer project keeps exploring seasonal summer offerings, more seasonal summer salads are coming. Readers can look forward to these tasty dishes.
Salad Ingredients: Simple yet Flavorful.
Creating a tasty baby spinach and tomato salad starts with fresh ingredients. The crisp baby spinach and juicy tomatoes are key. Each part adds to the salad’s flavor.
From Spinach to Parmesan: A Breakdown.
The salad’s base is baby spinach leaves. They’re full of nutrients and have a sweet taste. The tomatoes add a tangy sweetness.
Fresh basil adds an aromatic touch. Shaved Parmesan cheese brings a salty flavor. The dressing, made with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, enhances the salad’s taste.
Choosing high quality baby spinach and tomatoes is crucial. Keep the greens chilled to preserve their freshness.
“The secret to a truly delicious baby spinach and tomato salad lies in the quality and freshness of the ingredients.”
Using simple, fresh ingredients makes a nourishing and flavorful salad. The mix of spinach, tomatoes, basil, and Parmesan cheese is satisfying and memorable.
Baby Spinach and Tomatoe Salad: A Step by Step Guide.
Making a baby spinach and tomato salad is simple. Just follow these easy steps to create a refreshing dish for any event.
Start by rinsing the baby spinach leaves under cool water. Then, dry them with a paper towel. Next, cut the tomatoes into small pieces. Add sliced red onion and toasted almonds for extra color and crunch.
- In a large salad bowl, mix the spinach, tomatoes, onion, and almonds.
- Make the balsamic vinaigrette by mixing olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic or shallot, and Dijon mustard. Add a pinch of salt and black pepper for flavor.
- Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently. This prevents the greens from getting soggy.
- Finish with crumbled feta cheese for a creamy, tangy touch.
With a few simple steps, you can make a how to make spinach tomato salad that’s great for a baby spinach salad recipe or an easy salad assembly. Enjoy this baby spinach and tomato salad as a light side dish or a main course for a meatless meal.
“This salad is a summer staple in our household. The combination of fresh spinach, ripe tomatoes, and tangy feta is simply irresistible.”
Serving Suggestions and Meal Pairings.
The baby spinach and tomato salad is a versatile dish. It can be enjoyed on its own or with a variety of main courses. It’s perfect for a light summer meal or a side dish packed with nutrients.
Grilled shrimp is a popular choice to pair with this salad. The shrimp’s quick sauté makes for an easy and tasty dinner. For something heartier, try it with baked Italian ziti. This combination offers a nice mix of textures and flavors.
An Instant Pot BBQ chicken recipe goes well with the salad, balancing savory and tangy tastes. Or, a homemade supreme pizza is a great match. The salad’s freshness contrasts nicely with the pizza’s richness.
Beef and pork also pair well with the salad. A tender steak complements the salad’s freshness. An herb crusted pork loin or slow cooked pork roast adds protein to your meal.
For a side dish, try it with accordion potatoes or stuffed bell peppers. These options add a nice contrast in texture and temperature.
The salad also goes well with lemon salmon filets or other seafood. It’s a light and healthy addition to any meal.
Whether you’re looking for a side dish or a main course, the baby spinach and tomato salad is a great choice. It’s refreshing and nutritious, making any summer meal better. Try different pairings and find your favorite!
Storing Fresh Greens: Tips and Tricks.
Keeping your baby spinach and other salad greens fresh is key for great summer salads. A few simple storage tips can help. This way, you can enjoy their fresh flavors for longer.
First, wash and dry your spinach well. Rinse it, then use a salad spinner or a clean paper towel to dry. This step removes extra moisture that can cause wilting and spoilage.
Next, put your spinach in an airtight container. Use a resealable plastic bag or a glass container with a tight lid. Add a paper towel at the bottom to soak up any moisture. This keeps your greens crisp and prevents them from getting soggy.
To keep your spinach fresh, store it in the crisper drawer of your fridge. This area has the right temperature and humidity for your greens. With this method, your spinach can stay fresh for 5-7 days. This lets you enjoy how to store fresh spinach, keeping greens crisp, and extending the life of salad greens fully.
| Vegetable | Storage Life |
|---|---|
| Lettuce (in head form) | Up to 2 weeks |
| Kale, Collards, Swiss Chard | Up to 2 weeks |
| Spinach | Up to 1 week |
| Bell Peppers | Up to 2 weeks |
| Cucumbers | Up to 5 days |
By using these tips and tricks, your salad greens will stay fresh and crisp. They’ll be ready to make your summer dishes even better.
More Summer Salad Inspiration.
As summer arrives, why not try new salads that highlight fresh produce? From crisp cucumbers to juicy watermelon, there’s a world of flavors to discover. These salads are perfect for hot days, refreshing and filling.
If you loved our Baby Spinach and Tomato Salad, you’ll enjoy more from the #FreshSummer project. They’ve shared a Cucumber Avocado Salad and a Watermelon Feta Salad. Both capture the essence of summer with their bright tastes.
These other summer salad recipes and seasonal produce salads bring a variety of fresh and healthy salad ideas. They’re great for outdoor meals, with options for every taste. Whether you prefer tomatoes, greens, or fruits, there’s a salad for you.
Don’t just stick to the same old salads. Explore the colorful world of summer salad inspiration. Your taste buds and body will appreciate it.
Nutritional Information.
The baby spinach and tomato salad is not only tasty but also very nutritious. It has 186 calories per serving. The macronutrients are 26% carbs, 63% fat, and 11% protein.
This salad is a great source of fiber, giving you 20% of your daily value. It’s also packed with potassium (24% of the daily value) and calcium (19% of the daily value). You’ll get a good amount of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K too.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 186 | – |
| Total Carbs | 13g | 4% |
| Net Carbs | 5g | – |
| Sugars | 4g | – |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Total Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Calcium | 193mg | 19% |
| Iron | 5mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 1146mg | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 1546IU | 31% |
| Vitamin C | 6mg | 10% |
| Vitamin K | 841μg | 701% |
This salad is a fantastic choice for a healthy meal. It has a good mix of nutrients, lots of fiber, and vitamins and minerals. It’s a real health booster.
Recipe Summary.
Making a tasty baby spinach and tomato salad is easy. It’s great for quick weeknights or casual get togethers. Here’s how to make this refreshing dish in a few simple steps.
Easy Steps for a Delightful Salad.
- Begin by washing and chopping 3 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves.
- Cut 1/2 pound (220g) of mixed cherry or grape tomatoes in half.
- Thinly slice 1/2 of a small red onion and add it to the mix.
- Top the greens and vegetables with 1 1/2 cups of diced mozzarella cheese.
- Make the simple balsamic vinaigrette by mixing 1/4 cup of olive oil, the juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1/2 teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
- Toss all the ingredients together until the baby spinach tomato salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
That’s it! With just a few fresh ingredients and minimal prep, you’ve made a delicious simple salad recipe. It’s perfect for a quick summer salad. Serve it as a light main dish or a refreshing side to your favorite grilled or roasted meals.
“This salad is a game changer for busy weeknights. It’s so easy to make, yet the combination of flavors is truly delightful.”
Conclusion:
The baby spinach and tomato salad is a refreshing summer dish. It’s great for busy days or a light lunch. Its simplicity, flavor, and versatility make it a favorite.
If you want to eat more greens or need a quick salad, try this one. Fresh baby spinach, juicy cherry tomatoes, and tangy balsamic dressing make it delicious. It’s a satisfying salad that impresses everyone.
So, why not try this summer salad? It’s full of vibrant flavors and nutrients. It leaves you feeling refreshed and energized. Enjoy the perfect summer salad with baby spinach and tomatoes.