Did you make those delicious lamb meatballs with muhammara and are now craving all the ways to continue eating that flavorful sauce? Don’t worry, I’ve solved all your problems right here with this arugula salad. Okay, at least the muhammara one.
Check out this gorgeous salad! It combines my favorite leafy green, arugula, with walnuts, sliced roasted red pepper, and fresh mint for a bright, colorful, zesty salad that’s great as a side, but bold enough to stand on its own.
Let’s talk about arugula. Did you know that arugula is in the same family of vegetables as broccoli and cauliflower? Yep, it’s also a cruciferous vegetable. And you know from this post on the best ways to detox that cruciferous veggies are some of the most liver-supportive foods out there.
This leafy green is a great source of folate, a nutrient needed to reduce levels of inflammatory homocysteine in the blood. It also plays an important role in the development of red blood cells and supports proper nervous system function. Some research suggests that enzymes found in arugula can help relieve gastrointestinal ulcers.[1] Those are good enough reasons for me, but I also eat it because I love its peppery, zesty flavor.
Okay, I’m ready to eat. Let’s make this arugula salad!
Here’s what you need:
- 3 cups arugula
- 2 T mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped organic walnuts
- 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
- 3-4 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
- 1 T muhammara (I’ve listed the recipe below, but you can also find it here.)
- 1 t lemon juice
- Zest from 1/2 a lemon
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4-1/2 t sea salt (this one is my favorite)
Here’s what you do:
- Place the arugula in a medium salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the parsley, muhammara, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and sea salt.
- Toss the arugula with the dressing. Make sure you coat it evenly.
- Top your salad with walnuts, roasted red pepper, and mint. You could add a bit more lemon zest too, for a bright color and flavor.
If you’re making a fresh batch of muhammara, here’s what you need below:
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 t ground cumin
- T T pomegranate juice (optional for whole30)
- 2 t maple syrup (eliminate for whole30)
- 1/4 smoked paprika
- 2 t olive oil
- 1/8 t chili powder
- 1.5-2 t lemon juice
- 1/2 t salt
Instructions: Combine all of the ingredients for your muhammara sauce in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth.
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- 3 cups arugula
- 2 T mint, chopped
- 1/4 cup chopped organic walnuts
- 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, thinly sliced
- 3-4 sprigs parsley, finely chopped
- 1 T muhammara
- 1 t lemon juice
- Zest from 1/2 a lemon
- 1 T extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4-1/2 t sea salt
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 t ground cumin
- T T pomegranate juice (optional for whole30)
- 2 t maple syrup (eliminate for whole30)
- 1/4 smoked paprika
- 2 t olive oil
- 1/8 t chili powder
- 1.5-2 t lemon juice
- 1/2 t salt
- Place the arugula in a medium salad bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the parsley, muhammara, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, and sea salt.
- Toss the arugula with the dressing. Make sure you coat it evenly.
- Top your salad with walnuts, roasted red pepper, and mint. You could add a bit more lemon zest too, for a bright color and flavor.
- Combine all of the ingredients for your muhammara sauce in a food processor and blend until the mixture is smooth.
References:
[1] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507101824.htm
Important Notes:
Important Notes:
I am not a doctor, and I don’t claim to be one. I can’t prevent, treat, cure or diagnose illness or disease. The information presented on this website is not meant to replace a one-on-one relationship with your health care professional and is not intended as medical advice, treatment or diagnosis. The purpose of this website is to share knowledge from my research and experience. I encourage you to make your own decisions regarding your health care based on your own research and relationship with your health care professional.
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