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
April 22, 2015 at 9:00 amI made this at the weekend and it is as delicious as it looks
Ursula Hunt says
April 10, 2015 at 9:45 amThis looks so colourful and delicious
Abigail Cullen says
September 16, 2014 at 2:42 pmWhat an unusual mix, especially like the strawberries added for that sweeter taste.
Jacqueline Meldrum says
August 31, 2014 at 10:04 amThat 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.
Jacqueline Meldrum recently posted…Cheesey Broccoli and Spinach Soup
Fiver Feeds says
August 30, 2014 at 1:47 pmWow, this is something I must try, it looks delicious.
Ann Robinson says
August 28, 2014 at 11:56 amI would think of putting strawberries and avacado together but i like the ingrediants individually so its worth a try
Deborah J says
August 28, 2014 at 9:11 amthis looks mouthwatering – can’t wait to try this
shaheen says
August 24, 2014 at 3:25 pmLove 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,
shaheen recently posted…Bookmarked Vegetable Cakes, Desserts and Sweet Recipes
Elizabeth says
August 24, 2014 at 3:30 pmThanks 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
August 19, 2014 at 1:27 pmI did try this and it’s great. 🙂
Heather Haigh recently posted…Recipe – Vegetable and Quorn Curry
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:40 amYay! So glad to hear that 😀
Elizabeth recently posted…Heritage Wheat Wholegrain Pizza with Summer Pesto and Grilled Vegetables
Sarah Lamb says
August 19, 2014 at 9:48 amInteresting combination, it’s nice to see some vegan recipes on here.
Elizabeth says
August 19, 2014 at 9:59 amThanks 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
August 18, 2014 at 10:41 pmThat looks terrific. I like the idea of avocado and balsamic flavours combined.
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:40 amThanks Paul – they really do work well together, especially with plenty of freshly ground black pepper over the top.
Elizabeth recently posted…Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
August 18, 2014 at 7:17 pmWow 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!!!
Kate – gluten free alchemist recently posted…Banoffee-Coconut Crunch Trifle – gluten free
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:39 amThanks Kate – I hope you try it, I am sure you will be impressed with its simplicity 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Middle Eastern Spiced Camp Fire Chickpeas
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
August 18, 2014 at 7:12 amOh 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 recently posted…Radish leaf pesto
Jeanne Horak-Druiff says
August 18, 2014 at 7:12 amForgot to add – thanks so much for linking to my recipe 🙂
Jeanne Horak-Druiff recently posted…Radish leaf pesto
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:37 amOooh a smoked balsamic reduction sounds heavenly! My pleasure, Jeanne 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Heritage Wheat Wholegrain Pizza with Summer Pesto and Grilled Vegetables
georgina davies says
August 17, 2014 at 7:43 pmThis is a really unusual salad but it looks yummy xxxx
georgina davies recently posted…August 2014 Birchbox UK
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:36 amIt is – unusual and yummy 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Heritage Wheat Wholegrain Pizza with Summer Pesto and Grilled Vegetables
Lisa says
August 17, 2014 at 3:12 pmThat is gorgeous Elizabeth! So many of my favorites in there.
Lisa recently posted…Coconut Rice with Fragrant Seeds and Spices
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:31 amThanks Lisa 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Grilled Veggie Lasagne with Wild Garlic Pesto
Kavey says
August 17, 2014 at 2:58 pmI’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
August 23, 2014 at 9:23 amI tend to crave salads in the summer too. Salad certainly isn’t a winter comfort food! 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Middle Eastern Spiced Camp Fire Chickpeas
Holly Nelson says
August 17, 2014 at 3:00 pmDelicious! I have actually got strawberries in at the moment…I don’t know why I never think of adding delicious fruit to salad!
Holly Nelson recently posted…Silent Sunday
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 10:13 amThey do add a rather lovely flavour. Grapes too, and figs. Go on, experiment! 🙂
Elizabeth recently posted…Middle Eastern Spiced Camp Fire Chickpeas
Camilla @FabFood4All says
August 17, 2014 at 2:59 pmThat sounds like real winner of a salad Elizabeth:-) Thanks for linking to my recipe:-)
Camilla @FabFood4All recently posted…Win The a2 Milk Company™ Hamper and £50 Shopping Voucher
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 9:23 amThanks Camilla, my pleasure!
Elizabeth recently posted…Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
August 17, 2014 at 1:43 pmWhat a gorgeous salad. I’ll definitely reduce the balsamic for it – sounds sooo good.
Kate @ Veggie Desserts recently posted…Sweet Corn and Coconut Mini Cakes with Corn Cob Jelly
Elizabeth says
August 23, 2014 at 9:22 amThanks Kate – do try it and let me know what you think!
Elizabeth recently posted…Heritage Wheat Wholegrain Pizza with Summer Pesto and Grilled Vegetables