Strawberry Spinach Salad w/ Gorgonzola, Candied Walnuts + Lavender Balsamic Vinaigrette

Ingredients: organic spinach, organic strawberries, Gorgonzola cheese, candied walnuts, lavender balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sea salt

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This is a classic salad that I thought I'd take a stab at, adding my own twist of a lavender balsamic vinaigrette. It's a perfect summer combo, especially when strawberries are just heading into their peak season and are as sweet as can be. There's a myriad of flavor here that really bounces off each other nicely: the sweet tang of the strawberries, the saltiness of the Gorgonzola, and the sugary crunch of the walnuts go perfectly together!

Photo courtesy of kelocity.com

The lavender balsamic vinegar is probably the magic ingredient here and really ties everything together. I snagged a bottle at the incredible Amphora Nueva, an olive oil and balsamic vinegar press company with a tasting room in the Claremont neighborhood of the Berkeley/Oakland border. Out of all the flavors of balsamics (espresso, red apple, vanilla, pomegranate...), the lavender one surprised me the most. I was worried it would be too floral, but it has sweet chocolatey flavor that blooms when you add it to olive oils. 

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Amphora Nueva: Berkeley Olive Oil Works

2928 Domingo Avenue

Berkeley, CA 94705

510.704.9300

Photo courtesy of Poor Taste Magazine