Nutty and slightly sweet sherry vinegar is a natural partner for strawberries. This composed salad makes a cool kickoff for dinner or a nutrition-packed lunch on its own.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 20 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red-wine vinegar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Pinch of salt
4 cups baby spinach
1 small avocado (4-5 ounces), peeled, pitted and cut into 16 slices
16 thin slices cantaloupe (about 1/2 small cantaloupe), rind removed
1 1/2 cups hulled strawberries, sliced
2 teaspoons sesame seeds, toasted (see Tip)

1. Whisk honey, vinegar, mint, pepper and salt in a small bowl.
2. Divide spinach among 4 salad plates. Arrange alternating slices of avocado and cantaloupe in a fan on top of the spinach. Top each salad with strawberries, drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 202 calories; 8 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 7 g fiber; 90 mg sodium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (100% daily value), Vitamin A (60% dv), Folate (18% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 2 fruit, 1 1/2 fat (mono)

TIP: Tip: To toast sesame seeds, heat a small dry skillet over low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir constantly until golden and fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: The dressing will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Some of my favorite ingredients put together with a great dressing!

Anonymous, Boise, ID

I had to leave out the dressing, and substituted mango for cantaloupe, iceburg lettuce for spinach, and rice wine vinegar for topping, but am already making my list and checking it twice!

Cheryla, Oceanside, CA

This is awesome! I am eating it right now minus the melon, but this is great! Definitely going to do this again!

Karo Anderson, Honolulu, HI

I made this last night for a dinner party and got RAVE reviews from all, including my friend's husband that normally does not like "unusual" salads. A great addition to this would be some type of nut.

Cami, Maricopa, AZ

Refreshing and delicious! This salad is one of the reasons I love this magazine -- I would never think to combine strawberries, cantalope and avocado in the same salad on my own! The honey-mint dressing pulls it all together with great taste and flair.

Patti, WV