Vegan Blueberry Spinach Salad with Pecans

In regards to the Recipe

When you’re on the lookout for summer season salad that highlights recent berries, it’s a must to do that beautiful blueberry spinach salad.

It options child spinach, recent blueberries, purple onion, cucumber, basil, avocado and irresistible candied pecans for the right medley of flavours and textures.

You should use blueberry jam within the dressing to amp up the blueberry flavour however maple syrup works simply as effectively for traditional balsamic French dressing.

This salad is fantastic for summer season gatherings, might be paired with a protein to make an entire meal and works effectively for a fast and wholesome addition to lunch or dinner.

For extra summer season salads, don’t miss this peach arugula salad and summer season quinoa salad.

Elements

For the Salad

• Child Spinach: You might substitute one other inexperienced like arugula, combined salad greens and even kale. When you’re utilizing kale, therapeutic massage with 1 tbsp of the dressing or olive oil earlier than mixing with the remainder of the components.
• Blueberries: You’ll want recent blueberries. Different berries would work effectively too – attempt sliced strawberries, raspberries, peach or nectarine. Apples would even be good!
• Purple Onion: You might substitute shallot or make pickled purple onion.
• Basil: Use recent basil.
• Cucumber: The recipe calls for two mini cucumbers however you should use 1/2 a big cucumber as effectively.
• Avocado: You’ll want 1 ripe avocado or about 1/4 of an avocado per serving.
• Pecans: You should use pecans or walnuts.
• Maple Syrup: This could possibly be substituted with honey or agave syrup.

For the Dressing

• Blueberry Jam or Maple Syrup: For blueberry-balsamic dressing, use any blueberry jam, in any other case, maple syrup, honey or agave syrup work.
• Balsamic Vinegar: This could possibly be substituted with purple wine vinegar.
• Olive Oil: Use a great high quality additional virgin olive oil.
• Dijon Mustard: Use any Dijon or complete grain mustard you take pleasure in.
• Garlic: Grate or crush the garlic. You may substitute 1 tsp garlic powder, if wanted.

Step-by-Step Directions

Step 1: Make Candied Pecans

Add the chopped pecans to a skillet on the stovetop and warmth over medium warmth for 4-6 minutes till they’re browned and aromatic. Watch out to not burn them!

Take away the pan from the warmth and drizzle them with 1 tbsp maple syrup and season with salt. Stir to coat after which switch to a parchment-paper lined plate or pan to chill. They may get crunchy as they cool.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

Add all the salad dressing components to a container, season with salt and pepper and whisk to mix.

Step 3: Combine Salad

Add the spinach, blueberries, onion, basil and cucumbers to a big bowl. Add the dressing and toss to mix the whole lot.

Divide between serving bowls and prime every with the candied pecans and avocado.

Storing

• The candied pecans might be made upfront. Cool utterly earlier than storing in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 1 week.
• The dressing might be made upfront and saved within the fridge for as much as 1 week.
• Don’t gown the salad or add avocado till serving. The salad doesn’t retailer effectively as soon as dressed because the spinach will get soggy.
• It’s steered to assemble and gown the salad simply earlier than serving.