When the weather gets warm, it gets easier to be excited about salads! Winter is also a good time when you can grow your own lettuce greens but you might want to use dried fruit instead of fresh strawberries. But even so, boring salads will never do.

This healthy recipe combines sweet strawberries, refreshing cucumber, and a unique dressing – perfect to accompany grilled veggies and other favorites.

I hope you enjoy this simple yet versatile Sweet Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Salad recipe!

– Katie Mednick

Serves 4, Prep time approximately 20 minutes  

Salad recipe:

  • 4 cups of fresh mixed greens
  • 1 carrot, cut into ribbons with a vegetable peeler
  • 1 cup sliced organic strawberries
  • 1 cup sliced cucumber
  • 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
  • ½ cup roasted pumpkin seeds

Optional add-ins include: fresh grilled corn, diced avocado, almonds…be creative!

Dressing recipe:

  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 4 tablespoons blood orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Dash salt and pepper

Method:

  1. In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients. To make carrot “ribbons” simply peel the carrot with a vegetable peeler repeatedly to form long, delicate strands. It makes salad that much more exciting!
  2. To make the dressing, simply combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until creamy and as smooth as possible. This can be done in a blender as well.
  3. Drizzle the dressing over the greens and veggies and enjoy!

Take a look at other things I have been cooking recently on my Instagram page @coconut_katie

Download a PDF of this Sweet Summer Salad recipe (coming soon). Peak strawberry season is April through June.

vegan recipe
Bright flavors, textures and tastes tie the best parts of summer into this delicious salad! Photo by @coconut_katie