Brain Power Salad
- ktsveggielife
- Jan 11, 2018
- 3 min read
Sorry about the tremendous hiatus. Life has been so crazy busy. Holidays. Sickness. Travel (nothing big but still time consuming) and of course day to day life.
This is one of my favorite fall or winter salads. Why fall/winter? Because that is the only time pomegranates are in season. However, I do make this all year and sub the pomegranate seeds for craisins. Not quite the same but it is still delicious either way.
Why brain power salad? Because this salad is full of brain power foods.
-quinoa = protein, fiber, iron, lysine, magnesium, manganese, vitamin B2
-pumpkin seeds = protein, zinc, magnesium, manganese, copper, phytosterols aka antioxidants
-pomegranate seeds = antioxidants, vitamin C, cancer and Alzheimer's prevention, digestion, anti-inflammatory, vitamin E, folate, potassium, vitamin K
-avocado - healthy fat, vitamin B 1, 2, 3,5, & 6, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, protein, potassium, folic acid, Vitamin E, Vitamin K
-black beans = protein, folate, fiber, copper, manganese, vitamin B 1, phosphorus, magnesium, iron
-kale = fiber, protein, iron, folate, Vitamin B 6, B 1, B 2, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Calcium, iron, potassium, copper, manganese
-butternut squash = Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin B 1, B 3, B 6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Fiber
**nutrition info from http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2648/2
I remember the first time I made this salad for people other than myself and my husband. It was for "Meat Fest" (doesn't that sound great?) AKA my dad's Super Bowl Party. He calls it "Meat Fest" because it is all about the meat and the game. (I sit in the other room and play boggle with my mom, sister, and aunt. Sometimes my husband even joins us for awhile.)
Anyway, the first "Meat Fest" my dad did all the planning and we ended up with only meat. Like he didn't even buy buns or toppings for the burgers and the brats. It was really bad. And it was a Sunday, so by the time any of us knew what happened, it was too late. So, now I am always in charge of the non-meat part of "Meat Fest". So I brought this salad and it was devoured. At "Meat Fest". If that doesn't prove to you that it is delicious, I don't know what will.
Ingredients
1 head green leaf lettuce, washed, dried, and shredded
Kale, washed, de-stemmed, and shredded
1 avocado, peeled and cubed
1 c quinoa, uncooked
1 c dry black beans or 1 can black beans
1 pomegranate, seeded
1/4 c pumpkin seeds (unsalted)
1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
Directions
1. If you are making your own beans, combine 1 c beans with 4 c water and let soak 3-4 hours.
*If you have an instant pot/other great pressure cooker OR using canned beans skip that step and proceed to step 2.
2. Combine beans with 3 c water in pressure cooker and bring to pressure and steam 6 minutes. Release pressure naturally. DO NOT USE QUICK RELEASE METHOD YOUR BEANS WILL BE CRUNCHY.
*If you skipped step 1 - pressure cook for 25-30 minutes depending upon your cooker
**If you are using canned beans, skip all of these steps and wash and rinse your beans
3. Combine quinoa with 2 c water and cook according to package instructions (I put mine in the rice cooker)
4. Peel and cube butternut squash. Once beans are done (or you can use the steamer basket of the rice cooker), place butternut squash in steamer basket and seal pressure cooker. Bring to pressure and cook 5 minutes. USE THE QUICK RELEASE METHOD TO RELEASE PRESSURE BY RUNNING COLD WATER OVER THE PRESSURE COOKER (IF STOVE TOP) OR OPENING THE QUICK RELEASE VALVE IF ELECTRIC.
**Or, steam in the rice cooker for 10-12 minutes or until soft
5. Combine quinoa, beans, butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, and pomegranate seeds. Stir to combine and set aside.
*Save a few pomegranate seeds to top the salad with.
6. Wash, dry, and shred the lettuce and kale.
7. Smash 1/2 the avocado into the leaves and place in a large bowl. Cube and set the rest of the avocado aside.
8. Top greens with quinoa mix and remaining avocado and toss to combine
9. Enjoy with a nice vinaigrette.
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