Mixed Berry + Spinach Salad

After yesterday’s deep fried adventures, my body was in the mood for a bit of some greens, purple, reds, blues… and some nuts.

It’s a simple salad but it is beautiful and an absolute juicy joy to eat.  Making your own candied pecans is fun, too!  Pack it for lunch or grill some chicken and have it for dinner.

I love this salad because it is absolutely PACKED with good things for your body.  Spinach is literally one of the most nutrient-dense foods in existence so I could go on and on about that.  Pecans are full of fiber, protein and antioxidants.  And if the taste of the dark berries isn’t enough, then you can enjoy eating them knowing that they are packed with antioxidants and promote eye, skin, bone, digestive tract and cardiovascular health.

What will you need?

2 cups raw spinach

1/2 cup mixed berries (I used blueberries, blackberries, raspberries)

1/4 cup blue cheese

For the candied pecans:

1/4 cup raw pecans

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp sugar

How do you make it?

In a small skillet, simmer 1/2 cup of water with the tbsp of sugar.  Do not stir the liquid, but rather to combine the mixture, shake the skillet slightly until it dissolves. Quick cooking tip: I don’t know why this is, but I’ve noticed that stirring the mixture with a cooking utensil causes the sugar to form crystals on the nuts, leaving a white, chalky residue.   Once the mixture is simmering, throw the nuts in and cook on medium until the water/sugar is reduced to a sticky caramel coat.  Turn off the heat and allow the nuts to cool.

On a large plate, add your spinach, then berries, then blue cheese.

Top with the nuts and a dressing of your choice!

Super easy, packed full of benefits, tastes delicious and very photogenic  Passes my test!