Spinach Salad with Citrus Fruit

The Brazil nuts in this recipe provide crunch and selenium, a potent cancer-fighting antioxidant. Just one Brazil nut per day supplies your daily requirement of selenium.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

  • 1-10 oz. bag fresh baby spinach or kale

  • 1 cup berries or grapes, or 10 strawberries, sliced

  • 1 1/3 cups fresh clementine or mandarin oranges or grapefruit sections

  • 2 tbsp. raw sunflower seeds

  • ¼ cup chopped Brazil nuts

Dressing Ingredients:

  • 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed and drained

  • 1-2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

  • 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh herbs, such as thyme or rosemary

  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard or grainy mustard

  • 1-2 tsp. 100% maple syrup

  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

  • ¼ tsp. salt (optional)

Instructions

  1. To make the dressing, purée the raspberries in a food processor or blender.

  2. Transfer to a bowl and whisk in all of the remaining ingredients, starting with 1 tablespoon of the vinegar and adding more after tasting.

  3. Adjust the flavor by adding more maple syrup, salt, or pepper to taste.

  4. Whisk all ingredients together until combined.

  5. Toss salad ingredients together with your desired amount of dressing until combined.

  6. Serve immediately.

Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. In addition to being rich in vitamins A, C, and K and a good source of potassium and fiber, it contains a number of antioxidants.

The combination of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents found in strawberries is well-known to fight against the onset of many different forms of cancer. Thanks to the vitamin C, folate, and the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol that they also contain, strawberries are a delicious defense against potentially cancerous cells.

Sunflower seeds are a good source of selenium. Studies suggest a strong correlation between low selenium intake and cancer incidence. One quarter of a cup of sunflower seeds provides over thirty percent of the daily value for selenium. The vitamin E so abundant in sunflower seeds has also been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer.