This Winter Harvest Salad is perfect to just put it into a lunch box and take to work or college. It is vegan and gluten free. It is tasteful, nutritious, and healthy. You can prepare it at the beginning of the week, store it in the fridge, and use it as an amazing side dish with falafels or chicken. You can also add the homemade dressing to this salad to make it taste even more delicious!
This recipe is part of my Winter Meal Prep series, check it out for more healthy meal ideas!
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Ingredient Selection Tips
Pomegranate Seeds
Sometimes it can be tricky to take out the seeds in a pomegranate, and not make total chaos in the kitchen. You can find the seeds in packets in the grocery store, just make sure they are fresh. They should have bright light-red color and look juicy and firm.
Brussel Sprouts
Look for bright green and firm heads. Avoid any with black spots, as they could be a sign of fungus. Try to choose ones with smaller heads over the large ones, as those could be bitter and hard. The best time for buying and preparing Brussel sprouts is late fall and early winter, although they are available all year round.
Noteworthy Health Benefits
Pomegranate seeds
Pomegranate is a fantastic fruit. It is full of vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, folate, and fiber. It is low in calories, and rich in antioxidants, and there are numerous health benefits of eating pomegranate regularly:
- Can fight inflammation
- May help fight prostate cancer
- It may prevent breast cancer
- May lower blood pressure
- May help fight arthritis
- May lower risk of heart disease
- It may help improve memory
- May improve exercise performance
- Can help fight fungal and bacterial infec
Brussel Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and are low in calories. They are rich in vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Here are the health benefits of Brussel sprouts:
- May support gut health
- May reduce oxidative stress
- May fight inflammation
- May help protect against cancer
- Supports digestive health
- Supports bone health
- It is important for coagulation
- Maintains healthy blood sugar levels
- Supports immune system
- Supports eye health
- Protects skin cells
Walnuts
Walnuts are a good source of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. They support our health in so many ways, and here are some of them:
- They can fight oxidative stress
- May reduce heart disease risk
- May decrease inflammation
- Promotes a healthy gut
- May lower risk of some cancers
- Supports weight control
- May lower risk of diabetes
- May lower blood pressure
- Supports healthy aging
- Supports brain health
- Supports bone health
Thanks to healthline.com and medicalnewstoday.com for extensive information!
Winter Harvest Salad
YumIngredients
Dressing:
- 3 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar or apple cider vinegar (if you want to keep the fruit bright colored in the salad)
- 3 tsp Honey or agave
- 2 tsp Mustard
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil extra virgin
- ½ lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Salad:
- ¼ cup Pomegranate seeds
- ½ cup Brussel sprouts quartered raw
- 1 Apple small dice, sweet red like gala or pink lady
- ½ cup Walnuts chopped
- 2 whole Clementine or Mandarin oranges wedges
- 4 oz Baby kale & spinach mix (or other desired greens)
Instructions
- Mix dressing ingredients in a small bowl or mason jar.
- Combine all other ingredients in a large bowl.
- Drizzle dressing over salad.
- If you would like to store, add greens only upon serving.