Superfood Spinach Salad
Spinach can be one of those polarizing greens (or at least in my head… I can saute a full bag of spinach, and it wilts into just three bites!). Jokes aside, I created a fun spinach salad for you: my Superfood Spinach Salad.
Superfoods are considered “super” because they are chock-full of nutrients and antioxidants. Superfoods can also have healthy fats and fiber. It’s sorta the “bang for your buck” ingredient in terms of health! Here, I toss spinach with roasted sunflower seeds, steamed quinoa, creamy avocado, and fresh blueberries. I also have slices of bell pepper for a pop of color. The vinaigrette s a simple 1:1 mixture of heart-healthy extra virgin olive oil and sweet balsamic vinegar. Together, these ingredients make a hearty, crunchy, refreshing salad.
You can definitely make this salad a few hours ahead of serving, and if you do so I recommend cutting the avocado just before eating to maintain its color. Enjoy!!
Ingredients
- 1 bag of baby spinach, washed and drained
- 1/2 bag of arugula, washed and drained
- 1/2 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 large avocado, sliced
- 1 cup quinoa (cooked to manufacturer’s directions)
- 1/2 pint blueberries
- 1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (I love aged balsamic!)
Directions
- In a large mixing bowl, gently toss greens with bell pepper slices
- Add quinoa to the party
- Roast sunflower seeds (have your own? Check out my blog post from last summer!)
- Whisk olive oil and vinegar together until homogeneous and pour over greens
- Arrange avocado prettily (don’t want to mess it up from the get-go!)
- Sprinkle blueberries on top
Is it 1 cup of cooked quinoa, or 1 cup dry quinoa before cooking?