Experience the ultimate summer delight with this vibrant chopped salad, showcasing fresh berries, a luscious homemade poppy seed dressing, and irresistible sugared almonds.
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Summer Berry Chopped Salad with Homemade Poppy Seed Dressing
There’s nothing quite like a fresh, vibrant salad to truly capture the essence of summer. While I used to relegate salads to mere side dishes, my perspective has dramatically shifted over the past few years. A well-crafted salad can be a fulfilling and exciting main course, especially when it’s as thoughtfully composed as a chopped salad. My journey into the world of substantial salads began with a delightful Thai Chicken Salad, and ever since, I’ve developed a true passion for them. Each new creation only deepens my appreciation for the endless possibilities a chopped salad offers, delivering a perfect bite every time with its uniformly sized ingredients.
Today, I’m thrilled to share another favorite that perfectly embodies the spirit of the sunny season: a luscious Summer Berry Chopped Salad. This recipe combines the natural sweetness of summer’s best berries with the satisfying crunch of candied almonds and a rich, tangy poppy seed dressing. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will undoubtedly become a staple in your warm-weather meal rotation.
Why You’ll Adore This Summer Chopped Salad
This isn’t just another salad; it’s a celebration of summer’s bounty. The inspiration for this dish comes directly from the abundance of fresh berries available during the warmer months. Imagine crisp romaine lettuce, sweet strawberries, plump blueberries, tart raspberries, and succulent blackberries, all tossed together with a creamy, flavorful dressing and crunchy, caramelized nuts. It’s a complete meal that feels light yet satisfying, making it ideal for backyard barbecues, picnics, or a refreshing weeknight dinner. The “chopped” aspect ensures that every forkful delivers a harmonious blend of all ingredients – a little bit of crisp lettuce, a burst of berry, and the delightful snap of a sugared almond.
Essential Ingredients for Your Summer Berry Chopped Salad
Crafting this incredible salad involves three main components: the homemade poppy seed dressing, the sweet and crunchy candied almonds, and the fresh, vibrant salad base. Each element plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and utterly delicious experience.
Crafting Your Luscious Poppy Seed Dressing
The dressing is the heart of this summer salad, bringing all the flavors together with its unique sweet and tangy profile. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:
- White Balsamic Raspberry Blush Vinegar: This is a special ingredient that lends a delicate fruitiness and a gentle tang. If you don’t have this specific variety, don’t worry! You can easily substitute it with other vinegars you love. White balsamic vinegar offers a milder flavor compared to its dark counterpart, preventing it from overpowering the berries. Alternatively, apple cider vinegar, sherry vinegar, or a classic raspberry vinegar would also work beautifully, each adding its own subtle nuance. Avoid plain white vinegar, as its sharp acidity would be too dominant.
- Granulated Sugar: This provides the necessary sweetness to balance the tang of the vinegar and enhance the natural sugars in the berries. While I haven’t experimented with other sweeteners, feel free to try alternatives like honey or maple syrup if you prefer, adjusting to taste.
- Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise gives the dressing its creamy texture and richness. Both regular and reduced-fat mayonnaise will yield excellent results, contributing to that desirable smooth consistency.
- Grated Onion: This might sound unusual, but grated onion is a secret weapon in dressings! It infuses the dressing with a subtle savory depth and aromatic kick without leaving behind any chunky bits. A microplane works wonders for achieving a fine grate, but the smaller holes of any cheese grater will also do the trick.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for enhancing all the other flavors. Adjust the amount to your personal preference, ensuring it complements the sweetness and tang.
- Dry Mustard: This spice adds a hint of pungent warmth, which beautifully cuts through the richness of the mayonnaise and brightens the overall flavor profile. If you don’t have dry mustard on hand, a small amount of regular or Dijon mustard can be used as a substitute.
- Vegetable Oil: A neutral-flavored oil like vegetable oil is ideal here, allowing the other ingredients to shine without competition. If you prefer a richer flavor and don’t mind a slightly bolder taste, extra virgin olive oil can certainly be used. Any light-tasting oil you typically use for dressings will work well.
- Poppy Seeds: These tiny seeds are not just for show! They add a delightful textural element and a subtle, nutty flavor that is characteristic of this classic dressing.
Crafting the Perfect Candied Almonds
These sugared almonds provide a wonderful crunch and a caramelized sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the fresh berries and tangy dressing. They’re incredibly simple to make, but elevate the salad significantly.
- Almonds: Slivered almonds are my go-to choice for their elegant shape and even toasting, but sliced almonds would work equally well. Their thinness ensures they candy quickly and evenly.
- Granulated Sugar: A small amount of granulated sugar is all you need to create a delicate, crisp coating. The sugar melts and adheres to the nuts, forming a perfectly sweet crust. Fine sugar might melt a bit faster, but regular granulated sugar is perfectly effective.
Assembling Your Vibrant Berry Salad Base
The foundation of this summer masterpiece is a combination of crisp greens and juicy berries.
- Chopped Romaine Lettuce: Romaine is a fantastic choice for chopped salads due to its sturdy texture and satisfying crunch, which holds up well to dressing. However, feel free to experiment with other lettuces such as butter lettuce for a softer texture, or a spring mix for added variety in flavor and nutrition. The key is to chop it finely to integrate well with the other ingredients.
- Mixed Berries: This is where the magic of summer truly shines! Embrace the bounty of the season by using a generous mix of your favorite fresh berries. Sliced strawberries, plump blueberries, delicate raspberries, and juicy blackberries are all excellent choices. You can use any combination you have on hand or prefer. The diverse colors and flavors create an aesthetically pleasing and deliciously complex salad. Consider adding a few thinly sliced peaches or nectarines when they are in season for an extra burst of fruity sweetness.
Tips for the Best Summer Berry Chopped Salad
To ensure your salad is always at its best, consider these helpful tips:
- Prep Ahead: The dressing can be made several days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The candied almonds can also be prepared ahead of time and kept in an airtight container at room temperature. This makes assembly quick and easy!
- Wash and Dry Berries Properly: Gently wash your berries just before use and ensure they are thoroughly dry. Excess moisture can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
- Chop Evenly: The key to a great chopped salad is uniformity. Try to chop your lettuce and berries into similar, bite-sized pieces for the best texture and eating experience.
- Dress Just Before Serving: To keep your lettuce crisp and fresh, toss the salad with the dressing just before you plan to serve it. If you’re bringing it to a potluck, keep the dressing separate and add it right before serving.
- Add Protein for a Full Meal: For a more substantial meal, consider adding grilled chicken, pan-seared shrimp, or even some crumbled goat cheese or feta for an extra layer of flavor and protein.
More Delicious Salad Recipes to Explore
If you love this summer berry chopped salad, you might enjoy exploring some of my other favorite salad creations:
- Classic Italian Chopped Salad: A hearty and flavorful salad with robust Italian flavors.
- Zesty Asian Chopped Salad: Featuring an incredible peanut dressing and crunchy vegetables.
- Savory Steak Cobb Salad: A rich and filling salad perfect for a main course.
- Flavorful Antipasto Salad: A delightful mix of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables.
- Crunchy Broccoli Salad: A creamy and satisfying side dish.
- Caesar Salad with Pasta: A creative twist on a beloved classic.
- Refreshing Tropical Fruit Salad: A sweet and juicy blend of exotic fruits.
- Vibrant Red Raspberry Spinach Salad: Light and refreshing with a sweet and tart dressing.
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Summer Chopped Salad with Berries
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Ingredients
Poppy Seed Dressing
- 1/4 cup white balsamic raspberry blush vinegar
- 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon grated onion
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
Sugared Almonds
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
Salad
- 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 3 cups mixed berries (sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, combine the vinegar, sugar, mayonnaise, onion, salt, and dry mustard. Process until combined. Slowly stream in the vegetable oil while processing until emulsified. Stir in the poppy seeds.
- Place the almonds in a small sauté pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the sugar over the almonds. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar starts to melt and coat the almonds. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely, then break apart any clumps.
- In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce and mixed berries. Pour the poppy seed dressing over the top and toss gently to combine all ingredients. Stir in the cooled sugared almonds just before serving.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should be used as a general guideline.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1/4 of salad
Calories: 497kcal (25%), Carbohydrates: 33g (11%), Protein: 4g (8%), Fat: 40g (62%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 27g, Trans Fat: 0g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 472mg (21%), Fiber: 4g (17%), Sugar: 23g (26%)