Friday 9 January 2015

Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette


I never liked strawberries in the past. I mean fresh strawberries. Any other form of strawberries like strawberry jam, strawberry ice-cream, strawberry milkshake, I like a lot. Why? Because fresh strawberries from the supermarket are a tasteless lot. I don't know, maybe it's just me. But all this changed when Korean strawberries came along.


Korean strawberries are sweet, juicy and tasty. They have renewed my faith in these red beauties. Last weekend I saw very fresh Korean strawberries on sale at Aeon. They don't come cheap of course. One pack of 250g was retailing at RM17.50 but since it was on promotion, it cost me RM14.50. Still hard to swallow for me hah..hah...


The thing about strawberries is that they are so pretty. Don't you think so? I originally bought these to brighten up my Steamed Chocolate Buttermilk Cake. If not for these dazzling beauties, everything would be brown and blah. But after they had served their purpose, they were massacred to make a salad. Cruel, huh?


This salad came about when I suddenly remembered Monica's very pretty and delicious looking Strawberry Chicken Salad with Balsamic Vinaigarette. I love salads and I have never had a strawberry one before. But I couldn't get the particular cut of chicken that was fresh, so I settled for......siew yoke of course! 


When I got home, I fried some bacon and reserved the oil for the dressing. Bacon is in Monica's recipe, so please don't look at me hah..hah.. But she didn't say anything about using the bacon drippings, so that was all me. I know that some people are shaking their heads over my choice of ingredients for the salad. But I'm the one eating it and you don't have to do what I do. 


I made the salad dressing using pounded garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, bacon drippings, Dijon mustard and Balsamic vinegar. I usually mix Balsamic vinegar with either apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar as I find Balsamic vinegar too strong on its own. This time I didn't. 


Well, it is true what they say about strawberries and Balsamic vinegar. I love this salad. In the past I was not open to the idea using fruits in salads but I have changed my mind. The mild sweetness from the strawberries, the tartness from the vinegar and the smoky goodness from the roasted pork and fried bacon totally rocks this salad.



I'm happy that I tried this salad and I am pretty sure these Korean strawberries will make their way to my grocery list again but I will only buy them when they are on offer hah..hah.... Now I am thinking strawberries in my cakes and strawberries dipped in chocolate. I think I have some ganache in the freezer. Whoohoo!!




Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
Recipe source : Adapted from A Beautiful Mess
(Makes one serving)

Ingredients :
For salad :
- Mixed salad leaves
- Strawberries, sliced
- Shallots or big onions sliced
- roasted pork (siew yoke)
- bacon, fried till crispy

for Balsamic Vinaigrette :
- 1 big clove garlic
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp black peppercorn
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp bacon oil
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

Method :
1. To make Balsamic vinaigrette, pound garlic, salt and peppercorns until fine.
2. Add olive oil, bacon oil, honey, mustard and vinegar and stir/whisk to combine.
3. Put all salad ingredients into mixing bowl and toss with the Balsamic vinaigrette.


56 comments:

  1. Ooooo...roast pork belly!!! Ooooo...bacon!!! I surrender!!! Gimme...gimme!!!!

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    Replies
    1. hee..hee.. and you don't want the strawberries :D

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  2. ah!!!! I like this!!! strawberries used in savory salad!! I've seen a lot of fruit saad with strawberries and heard a lot of sweet & sour ribs with strawberries.. but I think I like your strawberry salad more!! somemore, you have not only put in bacon but siew yoke in there, double LIKE.. and you use balsamic dressing instead of the (very overly-used) creamy dressing.. it's sure refreshing I guess, LIKE LIKE LIKE!!!

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    1. SK, wah you sound so excited over this salad. huh? It is a very good salad. Looks pretty and taste good thanks to the extra ingredients hee..hee...

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  3. I am not looking at you, I'm looking at the bacon and siew yoke!

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    1. RG, they beat the strawberries anytime LOL!

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  4. I heard that balsamic vinegar and strawberries are a match made in heaven! I like strawberries (even if they're a little tart). Great to see this salad with a local twist (siew yoke)...and bacon oil is always necessary in salads :D

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    1. Thanks for the support of bacon oil, Kris! hah,..hah...

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  5. When I see strawberry, I'm thinking: Wah, me and Phong Hong very ngam, coz lastnite I also steamed some strawberry yogurt cupcakes for Kz - for supper, teehee..
    Wah, I see strawberries, siew yok and bacon in your first picture.. If got creamy mayo dressing or honey mustard or sour cream, yummmzzz, I sure sapu and attack kaw-kaw !! I want all the bacon and siew yok please !!

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    1. Louiz, yah lah...so ngam! I actually wanted to bake cakes or cupcakes or muffins with strawberries. Nanti I cuba. I guess creamy dressing will work too for this salad. I will sure try it and if good will post it up :)

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  6. Your salad with "Siew Yuk" really got me drooling! Not very often I see salad with added siew yuk, you know.

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    1. Mel, I like to put siew yoke into salad because it is convenient and taste good!

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  7. i just have the siew yuk can ah? :p

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    Replies
    1. Aiyo, this Meow just want the siew yoke!

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  8. I love strawberries in my salad too. Keep your eyes open for the offers... they sometimes sell the Korean strawberries for as cheap as RM10.90.

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    1. Oh really? I will sure look out for those, Yen. I love Korean strawberries!

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  9. I can finish up that plate of salad, so tempting, hehe...

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  10. Dear Phong Hong, I really love your strawberry salad with all the ingredients you have mentioned. Makes me drool....just looking at the salad, siew yoke, fried bacon, etc. So wow!

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    1. Thanks, Nancy! You should try it one day :)

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  11. Replies
    1. LOL

      Glad you had a change of heart about adding fruits to salads. I love adding them.

      Sometimes, my lazy salad would just consist of greens and grapefruit with just a pinch of salt. Yumms. :)

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  12. Hi Phong Hong, this salad looks so refreshing and ho liao with siew yoke. Haven't tried putting siew yoke in salads. During my Thailand trip, I paid RM14 for 500 gm of fresh strawberries. They were fresh and sweet. If you are there do try them especially when Northern Thailand has crispy siew yoke all over the market and food outlets.

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    Replies
    1. Wah, Kimmy! I must go to Thailand hah..hah... That's really cheap and I would look forwards to all the roasted meat :D

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  13. Phong Hong,
    OMG ! Roasted pork & bacon salad perhaps ?!
    This strawberries & veggie salad looks appetizing ... plus your "signature bacon" , added roasted pork ... yummy! But I seldom take siew yoke as I'll give away the top crispy skin portion ...Now you set me thinking if I should make char siew salad ?! ^-^

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    1. Aiyo, Karen! Why lah you give away the top crispy skin?? hee..hee... Next time you give it to me because that is my favourite part LOL!

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  14. Gosh Phong Hong! you're so creative to mix strawberris and siew yoke. So special :)

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  15. Hi Phong Hong,
    The first thing I noticed from your first picture, is the siew yoke! LOL! I have never tried using siew yoke with strawberries in a salad, sounds good! Salty and sweet ; succulent and juicy! Perfect!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Joyce! Siew yoke always catches my attention too hah,,hah...

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  16. First time I see a strawberry and siu yoke together in a salad. You have a really creative tastebud! :D

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mun! I meant to put chicken but I think siew yoke tastes better :)

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  17. Wow Siew Yook in salad! Very creative Phong Hong. Looks good and I can imagine taste yummy too!

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    Replies
    1. Veronica, it was a power salad hah...hah...

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  18. I haven't made strawberry salad for so long! Yours looks amazing!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cathleen! You should make some as they are so good!

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  19. Aden and I arr big fans of strawberry!! We both like them fresh cause its healthier and sweet!

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    Replies
    1. Hayley, next time I'll just eat the strawberries without siew yoke hah..hah,,,

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  20. Hi PH, your strawberry salad looks soooo yummmmy!! makes me drool :)

    BTW I like your new "cover page" :)

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  21. Hi Phong Hong, wow... fantastic salad!! Siew yoke with strawberry....look so mouth watering. Beautiful colour and soooo appetizing lah. :)) Thanks for sharing.

    Have a beautiful Sunday.
    Amelia

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    Replies
    1. Hi Amelia! Glad you like the salad. Sunday is coming to an end. Sigh...

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  22. I spied some sio bak in there! salivating just looking at your colorful salad! Making some sio bak now:D but no strawberries leh…I have always like fruits in salad.

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    Replies
    1. Jeannie, wah so clever can make sio bak! I always buy mine because so lazy to make hee..hee..

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  23. Hi Phong Hong, I'm bringing a slice of strawberry moussecake for you and expecting to bring back a BIG bowl of your siew yoke strawberry salad, hehehe...

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    Replies
    1. Esther, come, come! We can exchange anytime :D

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  24. Strawberries with siew yok salad ?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, Chris. Hard to believe, huh? LOL!

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  25. OMG! You are such an innovative chef and could even use pork belly with strawberries in salad! Why Not? But you gave me raised eyebrows for a minute... I still have to eat pork belly alone by itself with chilly sauce! Heavens!

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    1. TM, I love eating pork belly with chilly sauce too! Especially when it is still warm and the skin is crunchy. Whoooo!!!!

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  26. I have been so behind on my blog reading and only just now saw this post! I'm so glad you tried the salad! I love fruit in salad - probably because I'm a big fan of the sweet/savory combination! The bacon grease in the dressing sounds like an EXCELLENT addition. I bet my hubby would be on board with that!!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Monica! I loved this salad so, so much! It's really pretty to look at and good to eat. So yeah, I'm really glad you shared you amazing recipe! I'm all for bacon grease in salad dressings hah..hah...

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