Category Archives: salads

Monday, August 3, 2015

Southwestern Quinoa Salad

My local Natural Food Coop has been making a fiesta quinoa salad for years (10+). I ate it like crazy when it first showed up in the deli and would also pick some up for potlucks or for dinner. A few years ago I started making it myself. I remember it was a blistering hot summer, and for weeks it was over 100 degrees and I refused to turn on my oven for most of it. Like most summers, we live off of cool meals such as avocado mint soup, salads galore, raw treats and homemade ice cream. This quinoa salad is super refreshing and it’s a favorite among my family and friends. Maybe this dish will make an appearance at your next party…or for dinner one hot summer night. xo, –Amber Continue reading →

Posted by Amber at 4:34 pm

Labels: allergy-friendly, grain free, salads, summer cuisine, vegan, vegetarian.

6 Comments

Emily @ Recipes to Nourish August 4, 2015 at 11:36 am
Sounds delicious! Hope you’re getting some cooler weather today. We have a nice breeze over here today.
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- Amber August 6, 2015 at 8:08 pm
  Thanks Emily. We are actually in San Diego on vacation. It’s so nice to be out of the smokey air. Much cooler here – very tropical (like Hawaii but less humid). I do love that Delta breeze we get though through the Sacramento valley. So nice!! Hugs to you.
  Reply
Danielle @ Poor and Gluten Free September 1, 2015 at 11:26 am
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing it on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday, I’m featuring it this week 🙂
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- Amber September 1, 2015 at 12:34 pm
  Awesome! Thanks for the feature. 🙂
  Reply
Miz Helen September 3, 2015 at 8:56 am
Congratulations!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Have a great day and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen

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- Amber September 4, 2015 at 9:01 pm
  Awesome!! Thanks so much for the feature Miz Helen! 🙂
  Reply

Honey Kissed Mint Watermelon Salad

It’s warming up here in these parts. A heat wave is moving through right now and pushing temps into the 90s. Therefore cool, refreshing dishes are in demand. It will drop back down to cooler temps next week, and let’s hope May is nice and mild. May is usually our last month of decent weather before the searing summer heat blankets our region. But it’s all good. I love the summer and I’m no stranger to hot, dry heat. As a child I grew up in the desert near Death Valley (in Southern California) – so bring it on. I was at Costco the other day and found organic, fair-trade mini seedless watermelons. Awesome-sauce! They are super delicious and so sweet. I’m thinking this would be a great dish for any summer gathering.

Continue reading →

Posted by Amber at 8:29 am

Labels: AIP, GAPS, Paleo, raw, salads, SCD, sides, summer cuisine.

18 Comments

Megan | Allergy Free Alaska May 1, 2014 at 1:18 pm
This sounds and looks so refreshing, Amber! It’s rare that we get affordable watermelons up here (the bigger ones generally go for around $13), but I’ll have to check out Costco the next time I’m in town (it’s an hour away) for the smaller ones. Thanks for the tip there, and thanks for the beautiful recipe! Off to pin and share! 😉
xoxo,
Meg
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- Amber May 1, 2014 at 1:29 pm
  Thanks Megan! Whoa, that’s expensive for watermelons! Yikes. Yes, try Costco. I hope they have some you can enjoy. Enjoy the rest of your week.
  Reply
Cassidy @ Cassidy's Craveable Creations May 2, 2014 at 5:40 am
This looks so refreshing! The health food store I shop at has had large seedless watermelons for $3!!! I’ll have to buy another one for this recipe, we love watermelon 🙂

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- Amber May 2, 2014 at 11:10 am
  Thanks Cassidy! What a deal. few years ago we grew watermelons. It was very exciting. We will have to do that again soon – just trying to find a good spot in the yard (here in the new house). Have a great weekend friend. xo
  Reply
Deborah Davis May 2, 2014 at 2:34 pm
Hi,
I just hopped by from Raw Foods Thursday to see what you were making with my favorite fruit: watermelon! What a light, refreshing salad you have created. I can’t wait to make this. Feel free to hop by and share your delicious, plant-based recipes with us at the Plant Based Potluck Party Link Up (http://urbannaturale.com/share-the-food-fun-at-the-plant-based-potluck-party-link-up-10/)
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- Amber May 2, 2014 at 3:24 pm
  Will do, Deborah! Thanks.
  Reply
Laura @ the gluten-free treadmill May 2, 2014 at 4:14 pm
This looks so fresh and delicious!
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- Amber May 3, 2014 at 9:07 am
  Thanks Laura!
  Reply
Eva@Whole Food Mom on a Budget May 3, 2014 at 9:22 am
This looks soooo good! Just perfect for summer. I’d love for you to link up to Savoring Saturdays this week!

http://www.wholefoodmomonabudget.com/2014/05/savoring-saturdays-13.html
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- Amber May 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm
  Thank you for the invitation. I’ll hop right on over…
  Reply
Laura @ Gluten Free Pantry May 3, 2014 at 3:36 pm
This does look super refreshing. I’m dreaming about Summer and warmer weather 🙂

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- Amber May 3, 2014 at 5:37 pm
  Thanks, Laura. Are you still in cool temps? I thought you would be warming up about now. I think you will love this dish! Have a great rest of your weekend.
  Reply
Eileen @ Phoenix Helix May 7, 2014 at 6:15 pm
Hi Amber. I picked this as one of my featured favorites at this week’s Paleo AIP Recipe Roundtable. You’ve got me salivating for summer. It’s still a month or two away here, but I’m making this recipe as soon as the watermelons ripen!
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- Amber May 7, 2014 at 6:51 pm
  Yay! Thanks Eileen Always an honor to be featured. Thank you!
  Reply
Deborah Davis May 7, 2014 at 8:52 pm
Hi Amber,
Thank you so much for sharing this healthy and delectable watermelon salad recipe at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Blog Hop! I appreciate it!
Reply
Raia May 8, 2014 at 7:48 pm
This sounds wonderful, Amber! Thanks for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays!
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Eva@Whole Food Mom on a Budget May 9, 2014 at 2:06 pm
You will be featured at Savoring Saturdays when it goes live at 7pm tonight. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe. It looks absolutely wonderful!
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- Amber May 9, 2014 at 4:08 pm
  Awesome!! Thank you.
  Reply

Healthy and Hearty Summer Salad with Homemade Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salads are a MUST make dish this week here in Northern California. There is a heat wave coming through pushing us up into the triple digits for several days. Today is gorgeous and so we are taking advantage of this mild weather and heading to the Farmer’s Market tonight for some dinner and fun. Yesterday I made a big batch of honey balsamic vinaigrette in preparation for the heat and the many salads I have planned to make. My kids always gobble up their greens with this sweet and tangy dressing. Also a great drizzle for roasted potatoes, veggies, chicken, etc. I think we all need a good go-to balsamic vinaigrette recipe. I hope this one makes it into your kitchen soon.

Summer Salad with Homemade Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

Salad Ingredients:

-9 ounces fresh greens (I used 3 ounces each of: dinosaur kale, arugula, and baby spinach)

-1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apple
-1 cup chopped cucumber
-2/3 cup diced red onion
-2/3 cup chopped sweet orange pepper (I like the gypsy variety)
-1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
-Fresh herbs for garnish (I used parsley and tarragon)

Vinaigrette Ingredients:
-1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
-3 tablespoons local honey (vegans sub with 3 tablespoons coconut nectar and maybe a drop or two of stevia to your sweet preference, perhaps maple syrup would work as a sub too)
-3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1/2 teaspoons salt
-1/2 teaspoon garlic granules
-1/2 teaspoon onion granules
-1 teaspoon dijon mustard

How To:
1. To a blender, add in the vinegar, honey, salt, garlic grans, and onion grans. Blend on low for 10 seconds.
2. Keep the blender running on low and drizzle in the oil very slowly.
3. Then add in the mustard. Blend on medium-high for 10 seconds.
4. Adjust salt and other flavors to taste.

Notes:
*I’ve included two links above to the products I use. I buy them in town, but I wanted to give you an example of what I am using.

Shared on: Raw Foods Thursday, Wellness Weekend Fat Tuesday

Posted by Amber at 11:10 pm

Labels: Paleo, raw, salads, SCD, sides, summer cuisine, vegetarian.

5 Comments

France@beyondthepeel June 28, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Gorgeous salad Amber. My husband calls these dinner salads and though he didn’t know what to make of them at first, he really enjoys them now. I love all the vibrantly healthy colors here! I love the bigger batch salad dressing.I’ll be able to use it all week long.
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Lauren July 3, 2013 at 12:29 am
Yum! I’m eating so many salads lately, so this recipe comes at a great time. I didn’t know you were in Northern CA…I used to live in Portland and just love that region. 🙂
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Gabby @ the veggie nook July 4, 2013 at 3:52 pm
This salad sounds amazing Amber- my favourite salad combinations always include apple and a mustard dressing!
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GlutenFreeHappyTummy July 5, 2013 at 3:52 pm
oh my gosh Amber that salad looks SO GOOD!! i love the mix of crunchy ingredients! yum! Hope you had a great 4th of july!
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