Simple Salad for a Complex Life

The first few weeks of September are a very stressful and difficult time for many of us.

The summer season is coming to a close and students are getting back to their busy college lives. Also, children and parents are getting back into their active routines of school, work, sports and many other activities that coincide with the school year. Not to mention all those teachers who are hard at work getting their classes ready for a new school year.

Everyone is busy and at times overwhelmed, which can cause stress. Stress can lead to many health problems including depression. That is why it is important for us to get our Omega 3 fatty acids, which many nutrition experts say are very healthy for the brain. Salmon is one of those foods that is rich in Omega 3 and is a very tasty way to get the important nutrient into our bodies.

However, it is also important that families have time to get all of these activities accomplished and still have some energy left over to spend quality time with each other. Making and eating a healthy dinner together is a great way to do that. That is why this salad is perfect. It is very easy to make and takes a small amount of time.

Of course, I cannot take all the credit for the delicious flavor of this salad. I took some help and inspiration from specific items that I bought from the store. Let’s face it, we all need a little help from time to time, and we shouldn’t feel obligated to make everything from scratch. 

Two of the items in this recipe are kind of fancy and if you don’t have them, you can use regular olive oil and balsamic vinegar, but I happened to have Blood Orange Olive Oil and Fig Balsamic from a company called Carter and Cavero. A good friend of mine used to work there, and she was able to buy the oils and vinegars at 30 percent off. That was the only way I could afford them myself!

The other item is something I found in A&P in the same section where you would by the crabmeat and smoked salmon. It is called Nutcrusters Coating Mix in cashew-orange flavor and it is what I use to coat the salmon in this recipe.

I hope you enjoy this wonderfully delicious and healthy salad, and I also hope it helps ease some of the stress of your busy lifestyle.

Salmon-Orange Salad

Ingredients

2- 4 ounce Salmon fillets

1 head of red leaf lettuce or baby mesculin greens

1 head of green leaf lettuce

2 or 3 Mandarin oranges or tangerines

1 small bunch of scallions

1 cup of Nutcrusters Coating Mix cashew-orange crust

Blood orange olive oil

Fig Balsamic vinegar

¼ cup Gorgonzola cheese

Directions

1. Coat the salmon fillets in cashew-orange crust.
2. Sear the fillets in a pre-heated sauté pan coated with cooking spray until cooked thoroughly (a few minutes on each side on medium to high heat).
3. Chop lettuce and place in a salad bowl.
4. Add scallions and orange slices.
5. Dress with oil and vinegar to taste.
6. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
7. Add salmon fillet.
8. Enjoy!

Lettuce purchased at Bloomingdale Farmer's Market.

Oil and vinegar purchased at Carter and Covero, NYC.

All other ingredients purchased at A&P in Pomptain Lakes.