A Summery Salad with Golden Balsamic Dressing

 few weeks ago, a package arrived at my door. Though many online deliveries have graced my front stoop this past year and a half, this package I didn’t recall ordering. Inside was a bottle of golden balsamic vinegar, a gift from my mom! 

Obviously, I called her immediately. As an accomplished 30-something, I’ve accumulated plenty of vinegars over the years, but golden balsamic vinegar was a mystery to me. My mom, Salad Queen, said that she had been using it in her salad dressings and wanted me to try it. Intriguing!  

After doing some research (a poll on the Gymparty Instagram stories) I found that many others were unacquainted with golden balsamic vinegar. Generous as I am, I took it upon myself to incorporate this new ingredient into a recipe to share with the Gymparty fam!

What to make?

The brand’s website describes this vinegar as “zesty” and “sweet” and paired best with chicken, fish, and greens. It’s too hot to turn on my oven, and I got the golden balsamic from a salad enthusiast so I decided to go with a dressing. The dressing itself is not terribly innovative, so I’m also giving you a salad to pair with the dressing! 

Despite my aforementioned cache of vinegar, I’m no chef. But here’s my thought process. Ripe strawberries and creamy goat cheese should balance out some of the acidity of the golden balsamic, while honey and a pinch of salt in the dressing adds depth to the sweetness. Walnuts and avocado act as palette cleansers and their relatively more subtle flavors will let the dressing shine. 

Note: recipe measurements are approximate. Go with your heart, taste as you go! Feeds 2-3 hungry fitness coaches as a main, or 4-5 people if used as a side.

For the Dressing…

• ¼ C olive oil
• 2 TBS golden balsamic vinegar 
• 2 tsp honey (or, to taste)
• Pinch of salt 
• Optional: Pinch of black pepper

Combine all of the ingredients above. I like to put my dressing in a glass bottle with a lid, so I can shake it before serving. The oil and vinegar separate if you aren’t serving it right away. That’s fine, just give it a little shake! 

I scaled up by doubling the recipe above, so I’d have some left over for my next salad!

Note: adapted from Martha Stewart, the G.O.A.T.

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For the Summery Salad…

• 12 oz spinach
• ½ lb strawberries, sliced
• 1 avocado, sliced or diced
• 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
• ½-1 C walnuts
• Optional adds: crispy bacon, grilled chicken, craisins, bleu cheese (instead of goat cheese), roasted summer squash

Throw everything together! Add the dressing to the salad a bit at a time until you reach your preferred amount of dressing. If you accidentally use too much, just throw another handful of greens in! 

Try it and tell us what you think! Tag us on Instagram at @ Gymparty_ to show us! I’m excited to see your creative additions.