Recipe Of The Week: Superfood Salad
This salad is packed with all the nutrition an endurance athlete needs to fuel and recover.
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This salad is packed with all the nutrition you need to fuel, repair and support the needs of an endurance athlete. Chia seeds lend a healthy dose of Omega 3’s, beneficial for inflammation, while pumpkin and sunflower seeds provide protein and the powerful antioxidant Vitamin E. Berries add a touch of sweetness and color, with immune boosting benefits of Vitamin C, and spinach supplies large amounts of Vitamin K for bone and muscle repair. Tossed with protein and fiber-rich quinoa, everything you need is right in your salad bowl.
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
10 ounces baby spinach
1 ½ cup cooked quinoa
½ cup blueberries
½ cup sliced strawberries
½ cup finely diced jicama
2 heaping TBSP toasted pumpkin seeds
2 TBSP sunflower seeds
1 TBSP chia seeds
2 TBSP freshly chopped basil
2 TBSP freshly chopped cilantro
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
½ cup champagne, white wine or red wine vinegar
Juice of two oranges
1 tsp sea salt
½ teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
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Preparation
1. To make the salad dressing: In a blender combine the basil, cilantro, olive oil, vinegar, orange juice, salt and pepper. Pour into a sealable plastic container or jar and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss the rest of the ingredients gently with large salad utensils.
3. Pour about ¼ cup of the salad dressing over the salad and toss gently until combine. Add more dressing if needed.
4. Store the rest of the dressing in the fridge for up until two weeks.
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More recipes from Jessica Cerra.
Jess Cerra is the owner of Fit Food by Jess, a private chef and catering company in Encinitas, Calif. Jess recently launched Harmony Bar, and all natural gluten-and soy free bar designed to tasted like a soft baked cookie. She is an ex-professional XTERRA triathlete and mountain biker, and current elite amateur road cyclist for the SPY GIANT RIDE p/b MRI Endurance team. Follow Jess’ recipes on her “Fit Food by Jess” Facebook page, as well as the “Harmony Bar” Facebook page. Also on twitter @fitfoodbyjess and @harmonybars.
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