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strawberry goat cheese arugula salad with pistachios and lemon vinaigrette


 I love a quick easy salad recipe that hits all the right notes; bright colors, multiple flavors and textures.  I found inspiration for this strawberry goat cheese arugula salad from a favorite pizza restaurant.  I tried to make a similar salad at home and it was a success.  I brought my salad to a brunch at my son and daughter in law's home and later she asked me for my recipe so I had to recreate this wonderful simple salad for a second time, lucky me.  I remembered to make the salad, take a picture and write down the recipe, so here it is, very simple and perfect for strawberry season.

Ingredients and Recipe for Strawberry Goat Cheese Arugula Salad with Pistachios and Lemon Vinaigrette 
Makes one generous individual salad

2 generous handfuls washed baby arugula 
6 medium large strawberries, cleaned and cut in half
2-3 tablespoons raw pistachios 
2 ounces Laura Chenel fresh goat cheese
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

for the lemon vinaigrette 

1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon citrus champagne vinegar 
1& 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin Lisbon lemon infused olive oil, or plain extra virgin OO
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Whisk up the vinaigrette in a small bowl starting with the lemon juice and citrus vinegar, slowly whisking in the olive oil, add sea salt, pepper to taste, you should have a nicely emulsified lemon colored salad dressing.
Place the arugula on a dinner size plate, sprinkle on the pistachios, place the strawberry halves on the arugula followed by bite size pieces of the soft fresh goat cheese.  
Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad, finishing with a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
This recipe is easy to double or triple, whatever you like, I would just make it on a larger bowl or deep platter.


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