Strawberry Romaine Salad with Honey Mustard Poppy Seed Dressing!

 

 

This "Strawberry Romaine Salad" is great for serving a crowd during the holidays or whenever you are hosting a dinner for several people.  It will easily serve 10 to 12 people.  The ingredients are very basic and it can be prepared ahead of time. 

Just leave the toasted walnuts and dressing off until right before serving or you can even serve the dressing on the side and let each guest dress their own.  The dressing for this salad is so much better than any store bought dressing also.  If you have not tried making homemade honey mustard dressing, you need to try it! 

 

Here is what you will need:

 

2 heads Romaine lettuce, torn in bite size pieces

2 pints strawberries, hulled and sliced

1 medium sweet onion, sliced in rings (optional

2 cups Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded (can use a cheddar Monterrey Jack blend)

1 cup toasted walnut pieces

 

Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise (can use light)
1 cup honey
1 Tbs. Dijon or spicy brown mustard
1 Tbs. yellow mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. soy sauce

1 Tbs. poppy seeds

Layer Romaine lettuce in a large salad bowl or a trifle bowl is nice for this.  Next layer onion, if using, and strawberries.  Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and chill until serving or you can serve immediately.  Right before serving sprinkle the toasted walnut pieces over the top.

 

To prepare the dressing, whisk all of the ingredients together until well combined.  This dressing is best if prepared ahead and chilled for at least an hour.   There will probably be a little more dressing than you need for the entire salad, if so, the remainder is good for a week to 10 days, if kept refrigerated.