Power Salad with Elderberry Vinaigrette

Phew! We made it through 2020! And now on to 2021! The holidays are behind us and now it is time to get back on track with eating. To kick things off I came up with a power salad using some of the top superfoods along with a lovely elderberry vinaigrette. As it turns out you can use elderberry syrup to make a lovely, immune-boosting dressing for your salad. I usually make elderberry syrup every year and it tastes so good. One day I thought, “why not try it in salad dressing?” Turns out it works. And not only that this salad is amazing!

When creating this salad, I selected veggies and fruits that are jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for boosting health. These food picks are superfoods and at the top of their game for eating. Also, a good salad always has a balance of flavors: sweet, tangy, salty, etc. Most of mine include veggies, fruits, cheese, and nuts. In this creation the avocado really marries all the ingredients together well and creates a party for the mouth. After eating this salad for a few days straight I was just feeling great! This after-holiday cleansing salad is just what I needed. So, today I want to share it with you to help you start 2021 off right.

Power Salad with Elderberry Vinaigrette

Power Salad

Makes 1 salad. Double, triple, etc. as needed.

2 cups of washed mixed greens (spinach, kale, collards)

1 oz, of goat cheese crumbled

A couple of tbsps. of sliced almonds

1 heaping tbsp. of pomegranate seeds

1/2 avocado chopped

A handful of blackberries

Elderberry vinaigrette (recipe below)

Start by toasting sliced almonds in sauté pan over medium heat for a couple minutes or until lightly brown. This really adds to the flavor, so I don’t recommend skipping this step. Next, assemble rest of ingredients. Place mixed greens on plate then add chopped avocado, goat cheese, toasted sliced almonds, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds. Top the salad with elderberry vinaigrette and enjoy!

Elderberry Vinaigrette

Makes approximately 1 cup of vinaigrette.

Note of elderberry: do not use raw elderberries in this salad or dressing because it will make you sick. Use properly made elderberry syrup.

3/4 cup of olive oil

1/4 cup of red wine vinegar

1 tbsp. of elderberry syrup (the kind made with elderberry extract/juice and honey/sugar; if you use one made with vinegar it may be too tangy. I used Gaia brand for my salad as I was out of homemade.)

2 tsps. of raw honey

1/2 tsp. dried thyme

A tiny pinch of sea salt

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend well. Ready to use. Store in fridge when not using.

Enjoy!

Interested in more delicious and flavorful salads? Try these:

Autumn’s Best Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Nectarine and Fresh Corn Salad with Chili Lime Vinaigrette