Salad with Poppyseed Strawberry Vinaigrette

This vibrant strawberry salad is a refreshing mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy textures. Packed with nutrient-rich greens, juicy strawberries, and crunchy walnuts, it's topped off with creamy plant-based feta and a tangy homemade strawberry vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch or a side dish, this salad is bursting with flavor and loaded with wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients: 

For the salad: 

• 6+ cups (packed) mixed salad greens (e.g., spinach, arugula, and/or lettuces)
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1⁄3 cup chopped walnuts (lightly toasted for extra crunch)
• 1⁄4 cup hemp hearts
• 1⁄4 cup thinly sliced red onion (optional: soak in a splash of apple cider vinegar
  for a few minutes to tame the “bite”; drain before serving)
• 1⁄4 cup plant-based feta

For the vinaigrette:

• 1⁄3 cup fresh strawberries, mashed
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• salt, to taste

Instructions: 

1. Whisk together the mashed strawberries, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, black pepper, and salt until smooth. Stir in the poppy seeds and set aside.
2. Add the mixed greens to a large salad bowl. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. 
3. Add half of the sliced strawberries, toasted walnuts, red onion, hemp hearts,
   and plant-based feta. Toss to combine.
4. Top with the other half of the toppings and serve immediately.