Strawberry Spinach Salad

2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1/4-1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar, try balsamic
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon minced (red) onion
10 ounces fresh spinach - rinsed, dried and torn into bite-size pieces
1 quart strawberries - cleaned, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered, try walnuts or pecans
Options: bacon bits, feta/bleu cheese, other fruits

Directions:

In a blender mix together the sugar, olive oil, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce and onion. Add the sesame and poppy seeds. Cover, and chill for one hour. In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries and almonds. Pour dressing over salad, and toss. Refrigerate 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Other suggestion was to put dressing on right before eating.

This was a new recipe that I used twice this past weekend. I left out the poppy seeds, because I didn't have any on hand and then I used balsamic vinegar, toasted pecans, bacon and feta cheese. I loved it.

Submitted by: Nicole Woodburn