This healthy springtime salad recipe from Nielsen-Massey can help keep diets on track while including a splash of sweetness.

Spa Salad with Almond Vinaigrette

Ingredients

10 ounces baby spinach leaves, torn into bite-size pieces
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced
1/2 cup sliced almonds
Almond vinaigrette (below)
Additional strawberries and almonds for garnish

Preparation

Toss the spinach, onion, strawberries and almonds gently in a large bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Garnish with additional strawberries and almonds.

Serves 2

Almond Vinaigrette

Ingredients

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Almond Extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup natural rice vinegar

Preparation

Whisk the Dijon mustard, syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, salt and pepper in a bowl. Add the canola oil in a fine stream, whisking constantly until incorporated. This will emulsify your salad dressing and it will not separate. Add the vinegar slowly, whisking constantly.

Note: Emulsified liquids are generally unmixable and whisking them together gradually will force them to combine.

Makes 3/4 cup.

*Recipe and image courtesy of Nielsen-Massey.*