Inspired Salad

I just ate a wonderful salad that I must share with you. It can take a lot of effort and creativity to get excited about salad. I know how tiresome salad can be, especially when I get in a rut, always eating the same combination of ingredients. If you are having a tough time getting excited about your salads, give this one a try. You just may find yourself craving those greens again.

Build your salad using the following:

• Trader Joe's Baby Arugula Blend: baby arugula, baby spinach, baby lettuces
  
• Celery
  
• Shredded Carrot
  
• Beet Chunks (steamed)
  
• Raw or Toasted Pecans
  
• Feta Cheese (optional for vegans)
  

For the dressing, whisk together

• Juice of a 1/2 blood orange
  
• About 1 tbsp. of olive oil
  
• Dash of apple-cider vinegar
  

(Mix in the approximate ratio of 4:1:2)

Garnish with a blood orange slice. It's beautiful and delicious!

To make the meal complete, serve alongside a baked or steamed sweet potato.

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Quick & Tasty Dressing For One

Now that you've got your salad made, you need a dressing. And you need it now. Don't grab the ranch bottle out of the refrigerator. Whisk together this quick and tasty dressing for one. You probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen right now.


This dressing comes from Traci Sellers. Her website is at bestfoodist.com.

Recipe:

• 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
  
• 1 tsp. Mustard (Dijon or Spicy)
  
• 1 tsp. Vinegar (Apple Cider Vinegar highly recommended)
  
• 1/2 tsp. Maple Syrup
  
• Salt & Pepper to taste
  

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Caesar Dressing! (Vegan, Raw, Healthy, & Delicious)

Here is the Caesar Dressing recipe that I use. I got it from Traci Sellers. Her website is bestfoodist.com.

This dressing is healthy, vegan, and chemical free. It does take some preparation, but if you don't enjoy salad and vegetables very much, this dressing is a spectacular way to liven them up and help you enjoy your daily greens!

First, you will need to prepare Traci's Almondaise. This serves as the creamy base of the dressing. You should start a minimum of 5 hours in advance due to almond soaking. If you are planning further in advance, soak 1/2 cup of raw, whole almonds overnight before you begin.

Almondaise
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of Raw, Whole Almonds Soaked Overnight
  
• 1/2 cup Water
  
• 1 cup (approx.) Light Olive Oil
  
• 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  

Instructions:
1. (Optional) Peel almonds. Peeled almonds will produce a whiter, finer textured end product. (I have never peeled the almonds. It sounds like a lot of work, and since I use the Vita-Mix, there is no problem). Have the rest of the ingredients handy.
2. Place the almonds in a blender and grind to a smooth paste. If it's necessary add a little additional water to keep it moving.
3. With the blender still running, remove the top insert and drizzle in the olive oil gradually until the mixture is thick. A bead of oil should rest on top of the churning mixture.
4. Add lemon juice. Blend for 1 minute longer, stopping the blender to stir down the sides as the mixture thickens.
5. Store in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container for 5-7 days. The water tends to separate. Just stir before using.

Caesar Dressing
Ingredients:

For the "parmesan"

• 1/3 cup dry almonds
  
• 2 tsp of nutritional yeast
  
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
  

For the dressing:

• 1-2 cloves of pressed garlic
  
• 1 cup of Almondaise
  
• 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
  
• 2 tsp lemon juice
  
• 1 tsp Sea salt
  
• 1 tsp black pepper
  
• 1 tsp raw honey
  
• 1/2 cup water
  

Instructions:
1. In a dry blender, pulse almonds with yeast and salt until crumbly
2. Add remaining ingredients to blender and blend to combine

You are done!

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