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Copycat Zupas Nuts About Berries salad with berries cinnamon almonds and feta
Donny Enriquez

Copycat Café Zupas Nuts About Berries Salad

A bright mixed-berry salad over chopped greens with warm cinnamon-candied almonds, crumbled feta, and a sweet-tangy poppyseed dressing — the real Café Zupas components rather than the usual pecan-and-vinaigrette swaps. Comes together in about 20 minutes and is easily made into a meal with grilled chicken or avocado.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For the cinnamon almonds:
  • 1/2 cup sliced or slivered almonds
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • For the poppyseed dressing:
  • 1/3 cup neutral oil
  • 2 tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon or ground mustard
  • 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
  • Pinch of salt
For the salad:
  • 6 cups mixed greens or spring mix chopped
  • 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1/3 cup crumbled feta or gorgonzola
  • Optional: grilled chicken or sliced avocado

Equipment

  • Non-stick skillet
  • Blender or lidded jar
  • Salad spinner
  • Parchment paper
  • Large salad bowl

Method
 

  1. Add the almonds, sugar, cinnamon, and salt to a dry non-stick skillet over medium heat. Stir constantly for 4 to 6 minutes until the sugar melts and turns glossy, then immediately spread the almonds apart on parchment to cool.
  2. Blend or shake the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt until emulsified, then stir in the poppy seeds by hand. Chill until serving.
  3. Wash and thoroughly dry the greens and berries. Hull and slice the strawberries; leave blueberries and raspberries whole. Chop the greens small.
  4. Pile the greens in a bowl, scatter the berries, crumble on the cheese, and top with the cooled cinnamon almonds. Add protein if using.
  5. Dress right before serving with the poppyseed dressing and toss gently, or serve dressing on the side. Serve immediately while the almonds are crisp.

Video

Notes

Candied almonds keep several days airtight at room temperature; make extra. Dressing keeps about a week in the fridge — shake before using.
Assemble and dress only right before serving; dressed salad wilts within an hour and the almonds soften.
For protein add-ons, different nuts or cheese, and a lighter version, see the variations above.
The real Café Zupas salad uses cinnamon almonds and poppyseed dressing; pecans or a berry vinaigrette are popular swaps but change it from the original.