Spinach Salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette

Happy New Year everyone! I thought I'd start the new year off with something healthy for all those with "get in shape" resolutions. :)

I made this salad for a lunch with some friends and served it on the side of homemade chicken strips and sweet potato fries... those recipes are coming soon!  I was originally wanting to a make a strawberry salad and dressing, but strawberries this time of year are not very pretty.  Raspberries turned out to be the perfect choice.  I love how everything is fresh and colorful.  Enjoy!

For the salad, you'll need:
Spinach
Sliced almonds
Fontina cheese, cut in small rectangles
Raspberries
Raspberry Vinaigrette (See recipe below)
*Don't worry about proportions too much, just put however much feels right.  :)

Fill a bowl with spinach and pile on the fresh raspberries, Fontina, and almonds.

Drizzle with vinaigrette.

Raspberry Vinaigrette

I'm really proud of this because I made it up on the spot.  Luckily I wrote down the ingredients because I'm making this again for sure!

You'll need:

1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Juice of 1 lime

A few basil leaves

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon sugar

4 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and Pepper to taste

Put all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until you get a vinaigrette consistency. My recipe made about a cup of dressing.

Sending you love (and a wonderful 2011) from my kitchen.