Strawberry, Melon & Avocado Salad

Nutty and slightly sweet sherry vinegar is a natural partner for strawberries. This composed salad makes a cool kickoff for dinner or a nutrition-packed lunch on its own.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar, or red-wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups baby spinach
• 1 small avocado (4-5 ounces), peeled, pitted and cut into 16 slices
• 16 thin slices cantaloupe (about 1/2 small cantaloupe), rind removed
• 1 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, sliced
• 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)

1. Whisk honey, vinegar, mint, pepper and salt in a small bowl.
2. Divide spinach among 4 salad plates. Arrange alternating slices of avocado and cantaloupe in a fan on top of the spinach. Top each salad with strawberries, drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Per serving: 202 calories; 8g fat (1g sat, 1g mono); 0mg cholesterol; 24g carbohydrates; 3g protein; 7g fiber; 90mg sodium; 503mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (100% daily value), Vitamin A (60% dv), Folate (18% dv).
2 Carbohydrate Serving(s)
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 2 fruit, 1 1/2 fat (mono)

Make Ahead Tip: The dressing will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Tip: To toast sesame seeds, heat a small dry skillet over low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

DISCLAIMERS
Scaling Disclaimer: EatingWell recipes are tested extensively in the EatingWell Test Kitchen. EatingWell cannot guarantee a recipe that has been scaled to make a different number of servings from the original. Also note that scaling only applies to the ingredient measurements: no adjustment is made to the recipe instructions, so pan sizes and cooking times and ingredient amounts referred to in the text of the recipe only apply to the original number of servings.

Gluten-Free Disclaimer: We have verified that these recipes do not include the following gluten-containing ingredients: wheat (all varieties, including spelt and kamut, wheat germ or bran and other forms of wheat protein), rye, barley (in all forms, including malt, malt flavoring, malt vinegar and malt extract), oats, triticale or beer/ale. However, many processed foods, such as broths, soy sauce and other condiments, may contain hidden sources of gluten. If a recipe calls for a packaged (e.g., canned) ingredient, we recommend that you carefully read the label to be sure it does not contain a hidden source of gluten.