{Recipe} Strawberry Caprese Salad

In some parts of the country, fall is in full swing. However, in lala land, mother nature is laughing in our faces.   With temps in the 90s, summer just won't quit.  If only we had a pool. Our little town house faces a pool, it's just not ours.  Luckily, we have friends who have parents who have pools & we took advantage of that over Labor Day.  We were invited to a bbq & asked to bring a side salad.  I decided I wanted to bring something a little more fun & sweet.  I love the taste of a Caprese salad, except I hate raw tomatoes (unless unless they're chilling in salsa or this guacamole) so what I'm saying is, I really just love the taste of balsamic vinegar & mozzarella. But I couldn't bring a salad made only of cheese...or could I...

Anyways, I decided to sub out the tomatoes & replace with these beautiful strawberries.

Well, it was a GOOD idea.  I also decided to add in some avocado as well because...hell, I don't need a reason. Instead of going with traditional balsamic vinegar, I used a blackberry currant balsamic vinegar I found at an outdoor market a few months ago. Also GENIUS, but totally not necessary. This salad is quick to make & will be sure to be a crowd pleaser!  The only issue I had with it, once you mix up the balsamic, well the salad just looks ugly so I hid that photo way at the bottom :)

Serves: 8-10

Prep time: 20 mins

How difficult was this for me: Not hard at all!

• 1 Container strawberries
• 4 Avocados
• 1 cup mozzarella (I used the pearls)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar (you might need more depending on your taste preference

Slice strawberries & avocado.

Combine everything in a bowl minus balsamic

Add balsamic...this is a really hard recipe huh

Mix thoroughly...enter ugliness

That's it!

In true chaos in the condo fashion, this wasn't all pretty. I did get into a fight with one of the avocados

I also feel the need to share our master of the grill.  We're lucky to have such classy friends.

Do you ever add in anything fun to your Caprese salads? I'd love to hear what!

Enjoy!