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Cherry blueberry summer salad with living lettuce, radicchio, sliced radishes, colourful tomatoes, feta and creamy poppy seed dressing.

Cherry Blueberry Summer Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

This fresh cherry blueberry summer salad combines living lettuce, radicchio, juicy cherries, blueberries, crisp radishes, colourful tomatoes, feta and toasted almonds with a creamy honey poppy seed dressing. It is bright, crunchy and perfect for summer lunches, barbecues and easy warm-weather dinners.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course lunch, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Canadian
Servings 4 People
Calories 325 kcal

Equipment

  • Large salad bowl
  • Small mixing bowl or glass jar
  • Whisk
  • Salad spinner
  • Cutting board
  • Sharp kitchen knife
  • Cherry pitter
  • Mandoline slicer, optional
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Small skillet for toasting the almonds
  • Salad tongs or serving spoons

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 6 cups living lettuce gently torn
  • 2 cups radicchio thinly sliced or torn
  • 1½ cups cherries pitted and left whole or halved - for this salad I left the cherries whole but its easier eating if pitted.
  • 1 cup blueberries fresh
  • 5 radishes thinly sliced
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes red, yellow and orange tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
  • Fresh thyme leaves optional for garnish

Creamy Honey Poppy Seed Dressing

  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt plain
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1½ teaspoons poppy seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons water as needed

Instructions
 

Make the creamy poppy seed dressing.

  • In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, olive oil, poppy seeds, salt and black pepper.
  • Add one tablespoon of water and whisk again. Add a little more water until the dressing is creamy but pourable. It should lightly coat a spoon rather than run off immediately.

Prepare the salad.

  • Place the living lettuce and radicchio in a large serving bowl. Add the cherries, blueberries, sliced radishes and colourful tomatoes.
  • Sprinkle the feta cheese over the top.
  • Drizzle with some of the creamy honey poppy seed dressing just before serving. Toss very gently so the delicate lettuce does not bruise.
  • Serve the remaining dressing on the side.
    • For the best cherry blueberry summer salad, make sure the living lettuce and radicchio are completely dry before assembling. Even a little extra water can dilute the creamy honey poppy seed dressing and make the salad lose its crisp texture. Add the dressing just before serving and toss gently so the fresh berries, feta and delicate lettuce stay bright, fresh and beautiful.

Notes

Here is the corrected version with no almonds or nuts included:

Recipe Notes

  • Use fresh, ripe cherries and blueberries for the best flavour and texture in this cherry blueberry summer salad.
  • Pit and halve the cherries before adding them. Whole cherries may look pretty, but removing the pits makes the salad much easier to serve and eat.
  • Wash the living lettuce and radicchio well, then dry them thoroughly. Any water left on the leaves can thin the creamy poppy seed dressing and make the salad soggy.
  • Tear the living lettuce into bite-sized pieces rather than cutting it. The soft leaves bruise easily, so handle them gently.
  • Slice the radishes thinly so they add a fresh, peppery crunch without overpowering the sweet cherries and blueberries.
  • Use a combination of small red, yellow and orange tomatoes to give this fresh summer berry salad extra colour, sweetness and acidity.
  • Radicchio has a slightly bitter flavour that balances the sweet summer fruit and creamy honey poppy seed dressing. Use a little less if you prefer a milder salad.
  • Crumble the feta over the salad shortly before serving. Larger pieces give each bite a better salty, creamy contrast.
  • Add the creamy poppy seed dressing gradually. Start with a light drizzle, toss gently and add more only as needed.
  • If the dressing becomes too thick after chilling, whisk in one teaspoon of water at a time until it is creamy and pourable.
  • Assemble this easy summer salad recipe just before serving so the lettuce stays crisp and the berries remain fresh.
  • For make-ahead preparation, store the greens, fruit, vegetables, feta and dressing separately in the refrigerator.
  • This cherry blueberry salad pairs well with grilled chicken, salmon, pork tenderloin, burgers or other easy summer barbecue recipes.
  • Once dressed, the salad is best eaten right away. Leftovers can be refrigerated, but the lettuce will soften as it sits.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 6gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 537mgPotassium: 394mgFiber: 3gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 427IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 147mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Cherry and blueberry salad, Creamy poppy seed dressing, Fresh summer berry salad, Honey poppy seed dressing, Radicchio summer salad, recipe, Summer barbecue side dish, Summer salad with feta, Summer salad with fruit
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