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:
