Superfood Salad + A Simple Vinaigrette
If you follow my Instagram stories, you might remember I was juicing a few weeks before I went to Hawaii. I came up with this salad one night when I was desperate for something to consume that wasn't liquid but was still completely nourishing. I was also watching The Mind of A Chef so I was compelled to get in the kitchen and come up with something that was a little out of the ordinary, for me at least.
I think I've made this salad about 5 more times since then. It's my new fave, for sure. I made a version of it when my family got back from Hawaii and everyone devoured it! Even my little sister and she's not big into salad, although it's growing on her. I think we were all also just craving fresh produce because we played it safe and didn't eat much produce in Hawaii. Did you know there's a terrible epidemic affecting their local produce that attacks your nervous system if you get it and there's no cure? Scary! So as much as it killed me that I couldn't have a local Hawaiian pineapple, I decided it wasn't worth having a permanent brain disease over! Some of the locals there assured us it's rare and not to worry too much about it as long as you wash your produce well, but we decided not to take any chances. I'm so happy to be eating produce again, though because fruits and veggies ARE LIFE!
So, back to this salad. The combination of things makes it feel hearty and filling but also light and refreshing. Normally, I add a little honey or some other kind of sweetener to a vinaigrette to balance the flavors, but in an effort to go easy on the sugar while I was juicing, I decided to skip it. And I kinda love the punchy tanginess of it with all the hearty greens anyway! This would be a perfect salad to take for lunch or even to just make a big bowl of and keep in the fridge for a random snack or lazy dinners throughout the week.
Herby Superfood Salad + A Simple Vinaigrette
serves about 4
1 head kale, finely shredded (any variety you like)
1 head romaine, finely shredded
2 large handfuls baby mixed greens, finely chopped (whatever sort you'd like)
2 T hemp hearts
1/4 c chives, finely chopped
1/4 c dried mulberries (golden raisins or dried cranberries would be great, too)
2 avocados, thinly sliced
4 boiled eggs, quartered
4 radishes, thinly sliced
vinaigrette
1/3 c olive oil
1/3 c raw apple cider vinegar
1 T dijon mustard
1 T whole grain mustard
1 t herbes de Provence (or a mixture of dried thyme, rosemary, tarragon, and lavender)
salt and pepper, to taste
make the vinaigrette
Whisk together the vinegar, mustards, herbs, salt, and pepper. While continuing to whisk, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and continue to whisk until the vinaigrette comes together and is fully emulsified.
assemble the salad
Toss together the kale, romaine, and greens. Sprinkle over the hemp hearts, mulberries, and hemp hearts. Arrange the radishes, eggs, and avocados on top. To serve, toss a big ole serving with as much vinaigrette as you'd like and devour.
The Superfoods
AVOCADO
full of healthy fats, fiber, and 20 vitamins and minerals, helps to regulate blood sugar
MULBERRIES
full of antioxidants, helps to balance blood sugar, and good source of vitamin C and iron
HEMP SEEDS
high in omega-6 fatty acids, help to balance hormones, good source of fiber
EGGS
full of omega-3 fatty acids and great source of protein
KALE
high in iron, full of vitamins, anti-inflammatory properties, high in fiber, helps detox liver
ROMAINE
good source of vitamin A, rich in B vitamins including Folate, which boosts heart health
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
helps balance body's pH, aids in digestion, promotes weight loss
OLIVE OIL
heart-healthy fat, helps fight free-radicals, can help improve focus and memory
