I realized I started off the year right by posting a lot of healthy recipes. I was on a roll! And then like many gym memberships, I began to veer away, further and further... And noticed all my dessert recipes! I can't help it! I love sweets! My family always asks "how are you not 900 lbs?" Easy, I don't eat all the sweets myself, that would be crazy! Chocolate cake? Having a slice or two and giving the rest away. Cookies? Save myself half a dozen and give away the rest. I bake so often that I don't have the desire to eat a whole tray of cookies... well, maybe, but I still avoid that situation!
Contrary to the thoughts of many, I do eat things other than dessert. When we go to restaurants, I get full from my meal, but always have room for dessert! However, some restaurants I find the portions are so-so, and I am left feeling hungry still. I love Milestones meals, plus their amazing Bellini! Sometimes though, I feel paying over $10 for a salad is a bit much... Milestones' California spring salad is a favorite of mine, and I could eat it every day. But I would also be broke. So I began the journey to recreate it at home and I think I have it down!
When I first had Milestones' California spring salad I thought the dressing was a poppy seed dressing. I swear it! But their menu says honey mustard... When I first made this recipe years ago, I would make it with a homemade poppy seed dressing. It was not until recently when I was checking the menu again that I saw the honey mustard dressing. For today's recipe, I paired it with a homemade honey mustard dressing, but I personally prefer the poppy seed dressing (a recipe I will be posting in the future.) I should really ask someone at the restaurant if they changed the dressing over the years because I feel like I was so sure it was a poppy seed dressing...
Now, at their restaurant, the Milestones' California spring salad uses a spring salad mix. My grocery store was all out, so I used baby spinach. Really, it is all up to you as even though this is Milestones' California spring salad, the recipe is not the EXACT one (I don't think they are handing out their recipe book!) Pretty darn close though! I like extra toppings on my salad so I definitely add way more than they do at their restaurant (making it well worth the money to make at home.) This homemade version is very cost efficient and won't leave you feeling guilty in the end. Now I can enjoy this salad any time!
📖 Recipe
Milestones' California Spring Salad
A copycat recipe of Milestones' California spring salad including the dressing recipe and a link to the spicy glazed pecans.
Ingredients
- Spring salad mix
- Spiced pecans (recipe found in post.)
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- Goat cheese, crumbled
- Strawberries, sliced
- Dressing:
- 2 tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. coarse mustard
- 1 tbsp. honey
- Salt and pepper
- Pinch of nutmeg
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- About ¼ cup olive oil (add slowly, you may not need it all!)
Instructions
- In a food processor, add the white wine vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and garlic. Pulse until combined. Slowly add in the olive oil with your machine on. Stop every so often to taste dressing to see when you reach your desired consistency (¼ cup is almost too much oil I find.)
- Salad:
- Combine all ingredients and top with dressing. Serve immediately!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 368Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 24gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 316mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 5g
This is not my first restaurant copycat recipe. I think I have something for Milestones, because I have recreated a couple of their recipes (hopefully they do not hunt me down!) If you are interested in more of their recipes, take a look at the following: Milestones' Bellini, Milestones' chocolate ganache torte, Milestones' roasted mushrooms soup, and Milestones' brown rice spaghettini pasta.)
Really quick and simple salad. I am a big goat cheese lover, so I add a lot! Surprisingly, I am pretty sparse on my pecans, but then again I know how expensive they are so that may just be me being cheap!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
This is one gorgeous salad! The dressing sounds fabulous! It would be so perfect for a Spring brunch!
Kacey
Thanks, Anna!
Laura @Petite Allergy Treats
Ha! I have a huge sweet tooth just like you… and my posts don't balance with any salads either 😉 This salad would be a perfect lunch with that dressing that sounds amazing!
Kacey
Haha, at least we can admit it 🙂
Amber | Caleigh's Kitchen
What a beautiful salad! So perfect for the upcoming summer months. I love the honey mustard on it with the sweet strawberries!
Kacey
Thanks, Amber!
Kate @ Diethood
This is seriously my kind of salad! My sweet tooth needs IT!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
This is one gorgeous salad! The perfect complement to all of those baked goodies 🙂 Pinned!
Kacey
Thank you, Ashley 🙂
Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
Okay, I have to admit...I'm not a salad person normally but my husband totally is. So I've started eating more salads at restaurants and making them at home because I know he likes them so much. This looks fantastic! Definitely a salad we both would love! Pinned!
Kacey
Yay! I am with you though, sometimes salads can be boring, so I do find inspiration at restaurants 🙂
Stephanie Stuart
Kacey I have to hand it to you, your recipes are delicious and your photography is amazing. I am constantly floored (in a good way) every time I open a page on your site. This food blog ROCKS!
Kacey
Thank you so much, Stephanie!! Your comment makes my day 🙂
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.
I have never had honey mustard dressing on a spinach salad, but it sounds amazing! Definitely trying that next time!
Kacey
Me, too! I always assumed they used a poppy seed dressing!
Rachel Cooks
I've never heard of Milestones but now I need to try it! This salad looks amazing!
Kacey
Haha, I wonderful if it is only a Canadian restaurant?
Heather // girlichef
I've never heard of Milestones, so I am particularly happy that you shared this scrumptious salad so I can try it! I love honey mustard, but I bet I'd like the poppyseed, too. Yum!
Kacey
Thank goodness for food bloggers and their copycat recipes. It is the only way I have tried some American restaurant foods!
Josie
Love that this salad has pecans and nutmeg in it! So unique! Looks amazing 🙂
Kacey
Thanks, Josie 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny
Love this beautiful spring salad! Plus I'm a huge fan of spinach and strawberries together....yum!
Kacey
The perfect pairing during the spring and summer months 🙂
Darian
milestones is my favourite restaurant and I order this salad every time. So excited to try to make it myself at home! Thanks very much. 🙂
Kacey
I hope you enjoy it!!
Jill
This is my go-to order at Milestones and your recipes replicated the flavours of the dressing and pecans really well. Thank you!
Kacey
So glad to hear!
Roz
Not sure if you ever got your answer on the poppy seed vs honey mustard dressing. I worked at Milestone 10+ years ago, it has always been honey mustard dressing, however, the goat cheese was shaped into balls and rolled in poppy seeds, chilled, and then crumbled over the salad!
Kacey
Sorry, I did not!! That totally makes sense about the poppy seeds! Time to experiment with some honey mustard dressing. PS: If I worked there I would have been broke buying all their food 😉
Michael Lapp
It has never been a poppy seed dressing. Always has been the honey mustard vinaigrette. I know its weird but oddly delicious.
from a former manager and bartender of a Milestones location.
Kacey
I found this out in the last few years, haha! Going to add a new dressing recipe in the future, but I have to agree, so delicious!