KEWANEE WEATHER

In the kitchen with Kim: Strawberry Spinach Salad


By Kim Gehling    July 25, 2026
The summer salad is made with spinach grown in Kim’s garden. [Photos by Kim Gehling]

This is my first year growing spinach, and I’m really enjoying it. I’ve tried growing lettuce in the past, but I never kept up with harvesting it, and before long it would go to seed, or “bolt”. Once lettuce bolts, it develops a bitter taste that I don’t enjoy. So far, spinach has been a much better fit for me.

My fresh spinach inspired me to look for a salad to share with friends last weekend, and this combination was a hit. The sweet, juicy strawberries add freshness, while the creamy and salty feta balances their sweetness. Pecans bring a rich, buttery crunch and the thinly sliced red onion adds the right amount of crispness and flavor. Every bite is full of fresh, vibrant flavors that complement one another beautifully.

To top it off, I found a simple homemade poppyseed dressing that complements the ingredients perfectly. It’s lightly sweet, tangy and comes together very quickly.

From our kitchen to yours — enjoy!

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

  • 10 oz. fresh spinach
  • 2 c. thinly sliced strawberries
  • 2/3 c. thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 c. pecans
  • 4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, and red onion. Add the pecans and feta, then gently toss. Drizzle with the poppyseed dressing as desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.

Poppyseed Dressing

Ingredients

  • 1 c. mayonnaise
  • 4 T. sugar
  • 4 T. vinegar
  • 1 t. poppy seeds

Instructions

Whisk all ingredients together until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

We're local. We're nonprofit. But reporting the news isn't free. Please support The Kewanee Voice with a monthly donation.

Donation