With the Fourth of July just around the corner, you're likely starting to make plans with friends and family and I'm willing to bet they revolve around food. Whether you're grilling chicken or hamburgers, or going to a picnic or a pool party, this is one salad you want on our menu. 
This salad is unique in that the dressing is creamy, but without any mayo or oil or any of the other usual suspects. Instead, a simple combination of avocado, orange juice, and green onions makes for a smooth, creamy dressing with loads of flavor and healthy fats! 

Slicing the asparagus is a bit tedious, but the thin slices of the raw vegetable provide a nice contrast to the other elements of the salad. I mistakenly picked up honey goat cheese instead of regular but we all agreed honey was the way to go. The cheese started to coat the greens in such a way that the dressing almost wasn't necessary...except that it was too good to exclude! Adding some chopped nuts would be another great addition to this perfect summer salad! Enjoy! 

One Year Ago: Cabbage and Corn Slaw with Cilantro Orange Dressing
Two Years Ago: Greek Cucumber Salad
Three Years Ago: Twelve in Ten Challenge - Local Harvest

Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Orange Avocado Dressing
slightly adapted from Whole Foods

Ingredients:
-6 green onions, roughly chopped
-1 avocado, peeled and pitted
-1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
-1/4 tsp sea salt
-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-8-10 cups spring greens or mesclun mix
-1 1/2-2 cups sliced strawberries
-4 oz honey goat cheese
-10 asparagus stalks, trimmed and sliced into strips with a vegetable peeler

Directions:
1. Puree the green onions, avocado, orange juice, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor until smooth. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
2. In a large bowl, toss greens with strawberries, asparagus, and goat cheese.
3. Serve salad with dressing.