SEASON TO SEASON EATING
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Photography
  • My pantry
  • Inspire
  • Contact me

A Colorful Summer Salad

9/1/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Wow, this "back to school" thing has just got me tied up in knots. Driving here and there and then back again. I can barely get a good meal in, much less get it photographed!  But, the important thing is that I was able to share this wonderful salad with you today, perfect for those busy days. 

Summer + Fresh Fruit = Salad Attack! Summer is the season of salads, perfect for when we're just too lazy to turn on that hot oven. Fresh fruits and veggies all dressed up in a gorgeous cashew dressing! I chose mostly stone fruits for this salad since they truly are summer's prize possession. Cherries provide a gentle sweetness harmonized by the tart apricots, while the blueberries smoothly accompany the hearty fats! 

Cashews, a long time love of mine, from desserts to mac and cheese, they go with everything! In this recipe, I used cashews to create a super creamy and satisfying dressing that is sure to please most anyone. Cashews actually hold a lower fat content than most other nuts, hard to believe I know. The cashew tree is native to Brazil and is highly cherished due to its precious woods and fruits (the cashew apple and nut). Cashews are also a great source of copper, which helps regulate energy production and bone flexibility within the body. Magnesium is also an essential nutrient provided by cashews, which additionally aids in bone growth by balancing calcium levels. 
Picture
I just can't get enough summer fruit!
Picture
I just had to share this baby bird picture, don't worry, I didn't disturb them!
Picture

A Colorful Summer Salad 

Based on my Colorful Winter Salad    

Gluten Free, Vegan, Nut Free Option 

Ingredients:

1 cup cashews, soaked for at least 4 hours* (see below for a nut free option) 

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tbp agave nectar

2 cups chopped spinach and kale 

2 small apricots, sliced

2/3 cup fresh blueberries

8 fresh cherries, halved

1 small red onion, sliced

1 avocado, halved and sliced

1/4 cup almonds, roasted

Instructions:

For the Dressing, add the soaked cashews, agave and apple cider vinegar to a high speed blender, along with about 1/2 cup water, and blend until smooth. Pour the dressing over the tossed greens and massage with your hands to help it infuse. Let your greens marinate in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, or up to one day.

Next, prepare your toppings. Arrange your salad greens on a plate and top with the fruits, veggies and nuts. Serves 2, enjoy! 

*Forget to soak those cashews, having trouble finding RAW cashews or are you allergic? No problem, simply swap those cashews for tahini! To make the tahini dressing, add 3 tbs tahini, the juice of one lemon, 1 tsp liquid aminos and 1 tsp agave nectar to a small bowl and whisk to combine. 

Other Topping Ideas:
  • Figs
  • Peaches
  • Plums
  • Strawberries
  • Roasted Sunflower Seeds
  • Roasted Chickpeas
  • Sauteed Tempeh 
  • Manchego Cheese
  • Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Picture
Picture
A glass of home brew(ed tea)!
Post by: Rebecca
1 Comment
Elizabeth @ Eating Local in the Lou link
9/3/2013 02:35:30 am

Perfectly scrumptious! I have never soaked cashews before but plan to try this salad before summer is over!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    About the editor

    Picture






    Rebecca is a passionate young cook who enjoys cooking with the freshest ingredients possible, foraged straight from the earth. Season To Season Eating was created to show the world how beneficial it is to find and prepare whole, nourishing foods seasonally and effortlessly. On any normal day you may find her wandering through the forest with herbs in hand or crafting beautiful things to share with friends.

    Popular Posts: 

    Valentine Citrus Juice 
    Ultimate RAW Brownie 
    Creamy Polenta with Mushrooms  
    Cheezy Cauliflower Bites
    Lemon and Ginger Kale Chips   
    Lemony Cheesecake Bites

    Categories

    All
    Appetizer
    Apple
    Autumn
    Avocado
    Baked
    Banana
    Bean
    Biscuit
    Bliss
    Blueberry
    Breakfast
    Cake
    Cardamom
    Carrot
    Cashew
    Cauliflower
    Chai
    Chocolate
    Christmas
    Coconut
    Comfort Food
    Cookies
    Dairy Free
    Dairy Free
    Dates
    Dessert
    Digestive Health
    Dinner
    Donuts
    Doughnuts
    Drink
    Easy
    Egg
    Fall
    Figs
    Food As Medicine
    Gluten Free
    Gluten-free
    Grain
    Granola
    Halloween
    Herbs
    Ice Cream
    Jam
    Low Carb
    Low-carb
    Lunch
    Muffins
    Nourishing
    Nut Free
    Nut-free
    Pancakes
    Pasta
    Peanut Butter
    Pear
    Pie
    Protein
    Pumpkin
    Raw
    Roasted
    Salad
    Side Dish
    Side-dish
    Smoothie
    Snack
    Soul Soothing
    Soup
    Spelt
    Spiced
    Spring
    Sprouted
    Squash
    Strawberry
    Summer
    Sweet
    Sweet Potato
    Thanksgiving
    Tomato
    Valentines Day
    Vegan
    Vegetarian
    Winter