Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad

🥗 Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad 🥗

📜 History:
Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad is a delightful and refreshing dish that has become a family favorite over the years. Its exact origin may be a family secret, but it’s widely enjoyed during gatherings and special occasions. This salad combines a variety of flavors and textures to create a memorable dish that will leave you craving more.

🥦 Components:
Here are the components of Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad:

Ingredients:

• 1 head of Romaine lettuce, washed and torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup of fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 cup of fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup of toasted pecans, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Preparation Steps:

1. Start by preparing the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Gradually drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to whisk until the dressing is well combined. Set it aside.

2. In a large salad bowl, combine the torn Romaine lettuce, sliced strawberries, blueberries, toasted pecans, thinly sliced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese.

3. Gently toss the salad ingredients together, ensuring they are well mixed.

4. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad. You can use as much or as little dressing as you prefer, depending on your taste.

5. Sprinkle poppy seeds over the top of the salad for an extra burst of flavor and a lovely texture.

6. Toss the salad one more time to ensure the dressing and poppy seeds are evenly distributed.

7. Serve Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad in individual portions, garnishing with extra feta cheese or pecans if desired.

⏲️ Time Needed:
The time required to prepare Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad will vary depending on your chopping and prep skills. On average, it should take about 15-20 minutes to prepare the ingredients and another 5-10 minutes to assemble the salad and prepare the dressing. In total, you can have this delicious salad ready in around 25-30 minutes.

Enjoy your Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad! It’s not only a visual treat with its vibrant colors but also a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors. 🥗🍓🧀🥬

Certainly, here are the nutrition facts and some health information for Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad:

Nutrition Facts (Approximate values per serving):

• Calories: 300-350 calories
• Total Fat: 20-25 grams
• Saturated Fat: 4-5 grams
• Cholesterol: 15-20 milligrams
• Sodium: 250-300 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 25-30 grams
• Dietary Fiber: 5-6 grams
• Sugars: 15-20 grams
• Protein: 6-8 grams

Health Information:

1. Low in Calories: Aunt Marilyn’s Poppy Seed Salad is relatively low in calories, making it a suitable option for those looking to manage their caloric intake.

2. Rich in Fiber: The salad is a good source of dietary fiber, primarily from the Romaine lettuce, berries, and nuts. Fiber is essential for digestive health and can help you feel fuller for longer.

3. Healthy Fats: The salad contains healthy fats from the olive oil, pecans, and feta cheese. These fats are important for nutrient absorption and overall well-being.

4. Vitamins and Minerals: The fresh ingredients, especially the fruits and vegetables, provide essential vitamins and minerals. Strawberries and blueberries, for example, are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.

5. Protein: While this salad is not a significant source of protein, the feta cheese and nuts contribute a moderate amount, which can be part of a balanced diet.

6. Natural Sweetness: The salad gets its sweetness primarily from the fruits and a touch of honey in the dressing. This natural sweetness is a healthier alternative to added sugars.

7. Moderation is Key: The dressing and feta cheese do add some fat and calories, so it’s important to use them in moderation if you’re watching your fat intake.

8. Customizable: You can adjust the ingredients to fit your dietary preferences or restrictions. For example, you can reduce the amount of cheese or use a low-fat dressing if you’re looking to further reduce the fat content.

Remember that the nutritional values can vary based on portion sizes and specific brands of ingredients used, so it’s a good practice to calculate the exact values if you have specific dietary requirements. Enjoy your salad in good health! 🥗🍓🧀🥬