Strawberry Spinach Salad

This salad and dressing is super easy and convenient.  I had all the ingredients for the dressing on hand, so I didn't really need to buy any specialty items (which can often be the problem when trying new recipes.) Here's what I used for a Wine & Dine to feed 20 people.

Ingredients 

• 1 large bin of baby spinach
• 1 standard size box of strawberries
• 1 cup slivered almonds
• 1 cup feta cheese
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. paprika
• 3 T. sesame seeds
• 1 1/2 T. poppy seeds

Instructions

1. Candy slivered almonds by putting them in a grill pan with two spoonfulls of sugar and a few drops of water.  Cook on medium heat until brown
2. Slice strawberries while almonds are cooking
3. Toss almonds, strawberries, and feta in with the spinach
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together vegetable oil, vinegar, sugar, paprika, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds
5. Toss dressing on salad immediately before serving.  

Throw on mandarin oranges, omit almonds, replace feta with blue cheese - the variations are endless!