Roasted Strawberry Arugula Balsamic Almonds (Printable)

Caramelized strawberries, peppery arugula, creamy goat cheese, and sticky balsamic almonds create a harmonious blend of sweet and savory.

# List of ingredients:

→ Roasted Strawberries

01 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp honey
04 - Pinch of salt

→ Balsamic Almonds

05 - 1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
06 - 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
07 - 1 tbsp honey
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Salad

10 - 5 oz (about 6 cups) fresh arugula
11 - 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled
12 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

13 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
15 - 1 tsp honey
16 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss strawberries with olive oil, honey, and a pinch of salt. Spread on prepared sheet and roast for 15-18 minutes, until soft and slightly caramelized. Allow to cool.
03 - Line a small baking sheet with parchment. In a small bowl, combine almonds, balsamic vinegar, honey, olive oil, and salt. Spread almonds in an even layer and bake at 400°F for 6-8 minutes, stirring once, until toasted and sticky. Cool completely; break apart if clumped.
04 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
05 - In a large bowl, gently toss arugula and red onion with half the dressing. Arrange on a serving platter or individual plates.
06 - Top with roasted strawberries, balsamic almonds, and crumbled goat cheese. Drizzle with remaining dressing as desired. Serve promptly.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Roasting strawberries draws out their natural sweetness and creates jammy pockets of flavor that you cannot get from fresh berries alone
  • The balsamic almonds add this incredible crunch and tang that keeps every bite interesting
  • It comes together quickly but looks like something from a restaurant, making it perfect for dinner guests
02 -
  • The almonds can go from perfectly toasted to burnt quickly, so set a timer and check them at the 6 minute mark
  • Roasted strawberries release quite a bit of juice, so let them cool slightly before adding to the salad or it will get watery
  • The dressing might seem thick but that is exactly what you want it to cling to the arugula instead of pooling at the bottom
03 -
  • Let the roasted strawberries cool for at least 10 minutes so they do not wilt the arugula
  • Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad, adjusting the honey or vinegar as needed
  • Toast the nuts on the middle rack of the oven where the heat is most even

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