Baby Lettuces with Feta, Strawberries, and Almonds

A crisp assortment of baby lettuce serves as the vehicle for a classic Dijon mustard, vinegar, and oil vinaigrette. However, what makes this strawberry feta salad a standout is its toppings. Sliced strawberries give the salad a pop of color and a hint of sweetness, depending on their ripeness level, while a tangy feta cheese adds the perfect amount of briny and creaminess to complete the otherwise simple salad. The unlikely combination of salad, fruit, and cheese proves that each component can accentuate rather than overpower the other and coexist in a simple yet elegant dish.

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

Our vinaigrette requires only a handful of ingredients: Dijon mustard, honey, shallot, red wine vinegar, and extra-virgin olive oil seasoned with salt and freshly ground pepper. For next-level deliciousness, we use Banyuls red wine vinegar. From southern France, this vinegar is made from fortified Banyuls wine aged in oak barrels and acidified, resulting in an exceptionally smooth end product. If it's not already in your pantry, Banyuls vinegar is worth seeking out — we're pretty sure that once you try it, you'll want to drizzle it over all kinds of veggies and meats.

Suggested pairing

Bright, berry-scented rosé echoes the summer fruit in this strawberry feta salad salad. Pour a crisp, dry rosé from Provence.