Warm Sun Salad
Warm sun is just what some of us experiencing extreme weather conditions feel we need, right now. In its absence this is the next best thing. A warm, sweet and ever so slightly spicy salad of curly kale, sweet potato and pecan nuts infused in honey, ginger, turmeric and cinnamon with a sprinkling of coriander (cilantro) and feta cheese.
For those of you in the southern hemisphere enjoying an abundance of sun (grr,grr.. uh, I mean lovely) this would also work well as a cold salad once left to cool.
Not only are the colours of this salad vibrant and uplifting but the combination of sweetness , spices and warmth really leave you feeling sunny, whatever is happening in the outside world.
And if you think you don’t like kale, I highly recommend you reserve judgement until you’ve tried it baked. It tastes so good that it is often eaten salted on its own, known as kale chips.
The main ingredients are also all super foods that will boost your immune system, heart, brain, vision, skin, and keep your blood healthy and can prevent and help in the fight against various cancers.
Curly Kale is a great source of manganese, copper and phytochemicals,alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) aiding in the production of healthy skin, hair, vision, bones, pregnancy, as well as keeping our brains and hearts healthy as well as fibre, iron and antioxidants it is packed full of vitamin C (gram for gram 17 x more vitamin c than carrots), vitamin A and K.
Tumeric has long been used in chinese and holistic medicine for a huge range of disorders, infections and inflammatory diseases but has been recently been found to block an enzyme and promotes the growth of head and neck cancers by studies at UCLA. It is also a powerful antioxidant that helps fight cancer causing free radicals. It is also known as the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory great for helping with joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and MS.
Sweet Potato is another great source of fibre, potassium and B6 great for your heart, blood vessels and pressure. High in vitamin A (which can prevent some cancers), C and E and is another great source of manganese (which is great for metabolism, blood sugar levels and even PMT).
Ginger aids the digestive system, boosts your immune system, is anti-infalmmatory an aid in the fight against ovarian cancer and help prevent colorectal cancer cells.
Most of all it tastes fantastic, is quick to prepare and uses cheap ingredients. Enjoy.
Warm Sun Salad
Grain and gluten free, Paleo, Vegetarian, & Vegan
INGREDIENTS
Feeds 2-3 people as a main meal
- 2 x large sweet potatoes peeled and cut into bite size cubes
- 1 x good size onion peeled and diced
- x 4 table spoons of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 x juice of an orange
- 1 x table spoon of honey (maple syrup would work just as well for vegans)
- 1 x table spoon of turmeric powder
- 1 x teaspoon of cinnamon powder
- 1 x teaspoon of grated ginger
- 1 x teaspoon of maldon (or other sea) salt
- 2 x handfuls of pecan nut halves
- 200g x curly kale
- 2 x table spoons of coriander (cilantro)
- crumbled feta cheese to sprinkle (omit for vegan)
TO COOK
- Pre-heat the oven to c.180, gas mark 4 or 450f
- On a baking tray, cover the sweet potato lightly in extra virgin olive oil and place in the oven to roast for 35-40 mins.
- Then whisk the oil, orange juice, honey, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and salt together and put aside.
- When the sweet potatoes are roasted take out the tray and mix in the kale, pecan nuts and dress with the whisked oil dressing.
- Then put it all back in the oven together and cook for a further 8 mins.
- Finally take the tray out of the oven and sprinkle with the coriander (cilantro). Serve on warm plates and sprinkle with the feta cheese. Enjoy!
Notes: This will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 days. It also works well as side dish.
Tabitha’s Edit 
11 Responses to “Warm Sun Salad”
Looks great!
Thank you.
Definitely will be trying this! 🙂
Great. Enjoy !
mmm that sounds great for a winters night.
Sweet potatoes are one of my favourite foods and I love roasting them with spices. This is a great way to turn them into a meal.
Thank you ; -)
This looks VERY exciting! I am going to make this this weekend. Thank you so much for inspiring me with this recipe.
my pleasure. enjoy and have a wonderful weekend.
Pin’ed this! I actually like the idea of pairing the salad with salmon. yummy.
Great use of spices. Can’t wait to try it. Thanks!
Thank you, it’s one of my favourites. Enjoy!