Salad With Cherries, Pistachios, and Goat Cheese

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This salad is perfect when ripe, juicy cherries are in season! It is so quick to whip up and the combination of flavors is unbeatable - the tangy goat cheese, sweet cherries, and salty, nutty pistachios. YUM. If you want to make this a more substantial salad for lunch or dinner, add in cooked quinoa or grilled chicken for some added protein.

Ingredients:

(serves 4)

  • 4 big handfuls of mixed greens

  • 1 cup of cherries, pitted and halved

  • ¼ cup of pistachios, shelled

  • ¼ cup of goat cheese, crumbled

For the dressing:

  • 3 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 ½ tbsp lemon juice

  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • Whisk together the ingredients to make the salad dressing. Taste and add a tsp. of honey or maple syrup if overly tart.

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the salad greens with the dressing. 

  • Top with cherries, pistachios, and goat cheese.

Health Benefits of Cherries

  • They are loaded with antioxidants, which help boost our immune systems and reduce inflammation in our bodies.

  • These antioxidants are also connected to improved cardiovascular health.

  • Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, cherries have been shown to be beneficial to athletes as they can help with muscle recovery.

  • Tart cherries (you can find tart cherry juice at the store) contain melatonin, which can help regulate your circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle). 

Sources and Additional Reading: