My lunch.
Today.
Yum.
This was so nice I was really excited to share it with you all as soon as possible. The combination of avocado and strawberry is really something extraordinary, and when you pair those flavours and textures with balsamic vinegar and black pepper – wow. Just… wow.
You could just throw all your salad ingredients on a plate, splash with a few hearty shakes of balsamic vinegar and oil and grind plenty of black pepper over it, but taking an extra half hour to made the balsamic reduction is well worth it. Reducing the vinegar (especially the lower affordable end brand that I buy) imparts gorgeous depth of flavour as a dressing.
Drizzling the whole salad with Clearspring’s brand new Organix Omeg-A-Day flax oil blend makes you feel very virtuous indeed (and somewhat forgives you for indulging in all those triple chocolate chip cookie dough bites you might have gorged on the other day). If I don’t have lovely flax oil like this I’ll just use extra-virgin olive, but it won’t impart all of the health benefits the flax blend does.
I worked in the health food industry for a decade of my life; two years back in Canada and eight here in Shetland. One of the top supplements I used to recommend to customers was an organic flax oil blend in a 2:1:1 ratio of omega 3:6:9, just like Clearspring’s blend. This ratio is the ideal ratio the human body needs for its essential fatty acids which can help maintain heart health, healthy brain function and glowing skin. I lost count of the number of people who came into the shop with psoriasis and dry skin conditions who were helped by including essential fatty acids in their diet: moisturising from the inside out. Note: I am not a healthcare professional and am only voicing my opinions on feedback from customers – consult your own doctor if you have a medical condition.
Health benefits aside – this is a fantastic salad and a great way to get essential fatty acids into your diet. Give it a try!
Avocado & Strawberry Salad with a Balsamic Reduction
Ingredients
- 100 ml balsamic vinegar
- 50 grams spinach leaves (or more, if you fancy)
- 1 large avocado
- 10 strawberries
- 2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
- 2 tbsp Clearspring Omeg-A-Day Flax Oil Blend (or olive oil)
- freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- To make the balsamic reduction pour the vinegar into a small saucepan and heat over a medium high heat. Allow to simmer until reduced by half or two thirds at the most (about 15 minutes). Set aside to cool.
- Wash spinach and remove any tough stalks. Coarsely chop and place on two salad plates.
- Cut avocado in half, peel and coarsely chop. Sprinkle half an avocado over the spinach on each plate.
- Slice the strawberries and divide evenly between the plates.
- Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and flax oil blend and grind plenty of black pepper over the top. Serve immediately.
Linking up with Shaheen over at Allotment 2 Kitchen and her Vegetable Palette challenge. This month it’s all about mellow yellow (and orange). Avocado flesh is a gorgeous mellow yellow with an inviting green exterior, so I think this qualifies. Also linking up with Jacqueline over at Tinned Tomatoes and her No Croutons Required challenge co-hosted by Lisa at Lisa’s Kitchen.
OTHER AVOCADO RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE:
The Green Vegan Breakfast Smoothie by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Chocolate Cupcakes with Avocado Frosting (vegan) by Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary
Pick n Mix Salad by Big Spud
Avocado Ice Cream by Kavey Eats
Avocado with Prawns & Balsamic Dressing by Fab Food 4 All
Smoked Salmon & Avocado Stacks by Cook Sister
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Elizabeth’s Kitchen Diary received a complimentary bottle of Clearspring Organic Omeg-A-Day 78% Flax Oil Blend. All opinions expressed are our own. This is not a paid post.
Mum of three, daydream adventurer, OU Life Sciences graduate, occasional crafter, ex-pat Canadian & quite possibly Britain's most northerly food blogger.
Ursula Hunt says
I made this at the weekend and it is as delicious as it looks
Ursula Hunt says
This looks so colourful and delicious
Abigail Cullen says
What an unusual mix, especially like the strawberries added for that sweeter taste.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
That just looks like the most glorious salad and I’m loving the balsamic reduction. Thanks for entering it into this month’s No Croutons Required. The roundup is now live.
Fiver Feeds says
Wow, this is something I must try, it looks delicious.
Ann Robinson says
I would think of putting strawberries and avacado together but i like the ingrediants individually so its worth a try
Deborah J says
this looks mouthwatering – can’t wait to try this
shaheen says
Love this combo. And have to agree that Avocado has a mellow yellowness to it 🙂 I also love that you have used flax seed oil as a dressing,
Elizabeth says
Thanks Shaheen 🙂 I used to include flax seed oil in my diet quite a bit when I worked at the health foods shop but I’ve stopped for some reason. It’s nice to be re-introducing it. There was this one time I tried putting it in a fruit smoothie along with wheat bran – ergh, pancake mix smoothie!!
Heather Haigh says
I did try this and it’s great. 🙂
Elizabeth says
Yay! So glad to hear that 😀
Sarah Lamb says
Interesting combination, it’s nice to see some vegan recipes on here.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Sarah 🙂 I am experimenting more and more with vegan recipes. I love meat too much to give it up entirely but I am trying to incorporate more plant-based meals into our diet. I made a crackin’ vegan shepherdess pie last night I will be blogging soon. Watch this space! 🙂
Paul Wilson says
That looks terrific. I like the idea of avocado and balsamic flavours combined.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Paul – they really do work well together, especially with plenty of freshly ground black pepper over the top.
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Wow indeed! This looks so incredibly beautiful. Fab photos too! I have to try this one. The idea of avocado and strawberry with balsamic is making me quite excited!!!
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kate – I hope you try it, I am sure you will be impressed with its simplicity 🙂
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
Oh what a gorgeous image! Intrigued by the idea of strawberries with avocado and always smitten with balsamic reduction. I have a little bottle of smoked balsamic reduction that I utterly adore…
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
Forgot to add – thanks so much for linking to my recipe 🙂
Elizabeth says
Oooh a smoked balsamic reduction sounds heavenly! My pleasure, Jeanne 🙂
georgina davies says
This is a really unusual salad but it looks yummy xxxx
Elizabeth says
It is – unusual and yummy 🙂
Lisa says
That is gorgeous Elizabeth! So many of my favorites in there.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Lisa 🙂
Kavey says
I’m one those weirdos who only yearn for salad summer, probably driven by the joy of eating self grown! 🙂 Thanks for sharing ice fresh l cream post!
Elizabeth says
I tend to crave salads in the summer too. Salad certainly isn’t a winter comfort food! 🙂
Holly Nelson says
Delicious! I have actually got strawberries in at the moment…I don’t know why I never think of adding delicious fruit to salad!
Elizabeth says
They do add a rather lovely flavour. Grapes too, and figs. Go on, experiment! 🙂
Camilla @FabFood4All says
That sounds like real winner of a salad Elizabeth:-) Thanks for linking to my recipe:-)
Elizabeth says
Thanks Camilla, my pleasure!
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
What a gorgeous salad. I’ll definitely reduce the balsamic for it – sounds sooo good.
Elizabeth says
Thanks Kate – do try it and let me know what you think!