SUPERFOOD // SPINACH:
So Popeye knew what he was talking about when he constantly was eating his spinach! The vitamin and minerals in spinach including iron, calcium and vitamins E and K offer the brain protection and can fend off dementia and Alzheimer by over 50%! It can also keep your brain younger by 7 1/2 years! And all you need is 1 cup fresh or half a cup cooked. Folate is the key because it reduces levels of homocysteine a compound toxic to brain neurons.
Recipe by Rose Reisman
Spinach Salad w/ Cinnamon Almonds, Strawberries & Goat Cheese
15 mins
15 mins
8
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup whole almonds
- 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 4 tsp ground ginger
- 8 cups baby spinach
- 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese (about 2 oz)
- 1 1/2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple juice concentrate
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 tsp chopped garlic
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 6 oz grilled sliced chicken or shrimp (optional)
Instructions
- 1 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.
- 2 Rinse the almonds with cold water. Drain but do not let them dry. Place them in a bowl and add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground ginger. Toss to coat. Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes, tossing once. Let cool, then remove from the baking sheet and chop coarsely.
- 3 Place the baby spinach, red pepper, strawberries and goat cheese in a large serving bowl.
- 4 Prepare the dressing by whisking together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, apple juice concentrate, brown sugar, garlic and mustard in a small bowl. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss. Top with the chopped almonds. Serve topped with grilled chicken or shrimp, if desired.