Friday, April 8, 2011

Foodie Friday: Sunburst Salad with Green Goddess Dressing


Last Fall, I gave a nutrition talk with a couple of colleagues to a mom's group.  We wanted to prepare a quick and easy dish that incorporated some of the nutritious foods that we were encouraging them to eat.  Enter the Sunburst Salad with Green Goddess Dressing.  Not only did the moms enjoy this dish, but I've also since made it for parties and the bowl is always left empty by party's end.  I've been sold on this salad in so many ways from the creamy avocado to the tangy oranges to the crunchy almonds and the delicious dressing.  I usually prepare this as a side or starter salad, but it also works great as an entree salad with grilled salmon as the original recipe suggests.  Try it, and let me know how you like it.  Enjoy!

Sunburst Salad with Green Goddess Dressing
Adapted from:  Prevention 
Ingredients for the Dressing:
1/2 cup light mayonnaise or vegenaise
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
Juice of 2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ingredients for the Salad:
4 cups baby spinach 
1 can (10 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and sliced
1/2 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup slivered almonds

1.  Directions for the Dressing:  Combine the mayo, cilantro, and lime juice in a blender or small food processor.  Blend until smooth.  Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.  Transfer to a small bowl, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
2.  Directions for the Salad:  Combine the spinach, oranges, avocado slices, tomato halves, and almonds in a large bowl.  Gently toss together.  Divide into equal parts in four salad bowls.  Drizzle with dressing.  Serve.  

Serves:  4
Nutritional Information:
Calories:  236   Carbohydrate:  15 g   Protein:  4 g   Fat:  18 g   Cholesterol: 5 mg   Fiber:  5 g   Sugar:  7 g   Sodium:  330  mg
Excellent source of:  folate, vitamin C, vitamin A, and magnesium
Good source of:  thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium, iron, potassium, and zinc


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