jillian on March 1st, 2009
Love was in the air when I served this seductive salad, brimming with nature’s aphrodisiacs, this past Valentine’s Day. Adapted from a recipe found in The New InterCourses: An Aphrodisiac Cookbook
, by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge, this continues to be one of my most shared and complimented recipes. My sister first served the original version of this salad to me 4 years ago, and the flavors and sensations that aroused my palette then, continue to hold steady each and every time I make it. Use this salad to reignite the flame in your relationship, and if not, well at least you’ll have a damn good salad that is sure to make you scream out for more!
Cherry Avocado Salad
Vegan
For Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup raspberry vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons agave or maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of cayenne pepper
For Salad:
Baby romaine or mixed greens
1/2 cup dried cherries (preferably with no added sugars)
1/2 cup sliced red onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced fennel
1/2 cup coarsely chopped toasted or candied pecans
1/2 avocado, sliced
Alfalfa sprouts, optional
Directions:
Combine all ingredients for vinaigrette in glass jar and shake. Refrigerate for 2 hours. Construct salad and top with half the vinaigrette, serve remaining on side or save for another day.
Recipe Highlights:
Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats which are thought to lower
cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease. This fruit is also
high in fiber, Vitamin E and C and has anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
Cherries are the richest fruit source of iron, and are also high in beta carotine, potassium, folate and antioxidants. This super fruit is also thought to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis and gout, and protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Pecans have the highest antioxidant content of all the nuts, and are thought to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease.
Fennel is a good source of calcium, iron, magnesium and niacin. It is high in vitamin C, which is antimicrobial and helps to boost the immune system.
Alfalfa sprouts are teeming with life and contain many vitamins and minerals, including B12! The chlorophyll that comes from the sprouts exposure to sun helps build and cleanse the blood.
To your health,
Jillian Rose
March 11th, 2009 at 9:38 am
hi, Jillian
i tried this salad last night and it was absolutely delicious. thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe! i would like to start growing my own alfalfa and broccoli sprouts. please let me know if you know and can recommend a good piece of equipment for home grown sprouts. i’d greatly appreciate that. have a great and happy day!