Strawberry, Basil and Wild Rocket Salad

( I have given this post a much deserved photo make-over, which is why I am reposting this. Original post from August 2020)

This salad is a wonderful, fresh combination of sweet, peppery, savoury and nuttiness.

I am a big lover of fruit and eat fruit for lunch about 80% of the time, whether it's a in the form of a smoothie bowl, a drinking smoothies, fresh fruit on toast or simply fresh with plain yoghurt and cinnamon. If I don't have my fruit, I crave it even if I had a filling savoury lunch.

Don't get me wrong as I do enjoy savoury lunches, especially a variety of salads in summer and by adding fruit to my salads I can have the best of both in one dish.

And it is DELICOUS!

Strawberry, Basil and Rocket Salad

ENJOY

This salad is great as a side dish or as a light meal.

Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all those juices,

Or add cooked quinoa or pearled barley to the salad for extra protein and to make the salad more filling.

Crumble a bit of vegan veta or vegan parmesan on top - it is delicious!

THE KEY INGREDIENTS

• Strawberries

• Wild Rocket, also known as Arugula

• Curly lettuce

• Basil

• Pecan nuts

• Sunflower seeds

• with a pomegranate-mustard dressing

The strawberries add a fresh, sweetness which pairs perfectly with the pepperiness of the wild rocket, the zingy salad dressing and the crunch from the nuts and seeds.

THE HEALTH BENEFITS

STRAWBERRIES

Are an excellent source of vitamin C, high in antioxidants and fibre -

• a great energy booster

• help maintain a healthy vision

• may lower cholesterol and regulate your blood pressure

• may help cancer prevention

• reduce inflammation

• antioxidants and vitamin C may help improve skin’s elasticity and resilience, meaning healthier, younger-looking skin.

WILD ROCKET (ARUGULA)

Is nutrient-dense and classified as a cruciferous vegetable. Nutrients found in rocket are calcium, vitamin A, vitamin K & vitamin C, potassium and folate (which is a B vitamin) -

• good for bone health, tooth health and muscle and nerve functions

• helps support the immune system

• may help regulate high blood pressure

PECAN NUTS

are high in copper, vitamin B1 and zinc -

• good for heart health

• promote brain health

• may reduce risk of certain cancers

• improves digestion

• stabilizers blood sugar

SUNFLOWER SEEDS

are rich in antioxidants and vitamin E -

• promote brain health

• energy booster

• promotes healthy skin

• may help cancer prevention

With all the delicious flavours and these health benefits you will not regret giving this salad a go.

OTHER SALADS TO TRY

healthier caesar salad with tofu

perfect summer salad

watermelon, mint & veta salad

tomato & cannellini bean salad

STRAWBERRY, BASIL & ROCKET SALAD

Sweet, crunchy, peppery and zingy - a fabulous summer salad.

Serves: 1 as a main or 2 sides

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SALAD

• 2 cups rocket, packed

• 1 cup chopped curly lettuce

• handful sweet basil leaves

• 8 - 10 fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered or sliced

• 2 - 3 tbsp chopped pecan nuts

• 2 tbsp sunflower seeds

• 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)

• 1 small shallot, sliced (optional)

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses

• 1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp whole grain mustard

• sea salt, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add all the salad ingredients into a large bowl.

2. Mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a separate bowl.

3. Drizzle about half of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat the leaves.

4. Assess the amount of dressing as you don't want the leaves to be swimming in the dressing. Add a little more if needed or to suit your preferences.

5. Serve immediately and enjoy!