1-2avocados, ripe but still slightly firm cut into chunks or sliced
6-8ozGorgonzola or Bleu Cheese, crumbled
1cupsalmonds, sliced
1/4cupsugar+ 1 tablespoon
dash salt
Homemade Poppyseed Dressing, below
ABK Copycat Brianna's Poppyseed Dressing:
1/3cupwhite sugar
1/2cupcider vinegar
1/4cupmayo, light or regular (optional)
1/2teaspoonsalt
1/2teaspoonground dry mustard
1teaspoongrated onion, white, yellow or sweet onion, optional
1cupvegetable or canola oil
1tablespoonpoppy seeds
Instructions
Place a sheet of foil (about 12 inches long) or parchment paper on the counter. Give the foil a light spray of cooking oil.
Place the almonds and sugar in a large teflon pan over medium-medium high heat. Stir when sugar begins to heat up. It will give off a fragrance similar to cotton candy :) Be careful not to turn the heat up too high, or you will burn the sugar and have to toss the almonds.
Stir the almonds and sugar constantly after sugar starts to melt. This takes about 5-8 minutes to get to this point. Once sugar begins to melt or caramelize, remove pan from heat and pour onto foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle with an additional tablespoon of sugar. Let cool. Break apart when cooled if necessary.
Place the spinach in a large bowl. Toss with strawberries, avocado and Gorgonzola cheese. Or place the spinach in a bowl and top with avocado, strawberries and cheese. Top with cooled sugared almonds.
When ready to serve, toss with about 1/2 cup of the poppyseed dressing, or serve on the side.
Serves about 6-8 as a side salad.
For the Dressing:
In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, vinegar, salt, mustard and onion and process for 30 seconds.
With blender or food processor on high, gradually add oil in a slow, steady stream.
Stir in poppy seeds.
Tips:
Notes
-If you don't have a blender or food processor, you can make this in a large bowl using a whisk or a hand mixer.-You may make the dressing without the mayo and add it after all of the other ingredients if you prefer. If the dressing is not as creamy as you would like, or too tart, add the mayo.-Keeps for weeks in the refrigerator.-This recipe is enough dressing for 3 times the salad above.