Strawberry Pecan Hemp Seed Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

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I received products from Just Hemp Foods in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are 100% mine.

This Strawberry Pecan Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette is a delicious and nutritious salad to change up your salad routine.

I used to eat salads for breakfast every day. An odd habit I know, but at the time I would wake up craving veggies.

Somewhere along the line, I got out of this habit. Maybe it was because I ate the same salad with the same dressing every day for more than a year? Or maybe it is because my body started craving more protein in the morning.

Lately, I’ve been trying to get back into the salad habit on a consistent basis. If not for breakfast, then for lunch or dinner.

I have to say that I feel better when I eat salads, and I also enjoy them more than most anything that I make.

When I received a sample of Hemp Seeds from Just Hemp as part of Chocotoberfest, I knew immediately that I wanted to incorporate them into a salad.

A salad with a Chocolate Vinaigrette? I know – it almost as unusual as eating salad for breakfast. Trust me on this one – it is so good. Subtle, a little unexpected and addictive.

I’ve used strawberries here – because hello chocolate and strawberries – but pears would be nice too. (And are a little more seasonal right now.)

I loved the crunch that the hemp seeds added to the dish and the added protein. A single serving has 8 grams of plant-based protein with a near perfect balance of essential fatty acids. They are gluten-free, and Non-GMO Project verified.

I also used 1/4 cup of Just Hemp Foods Hemp Seed oil, which has 2.5g Omega-3 per serving.

This is a salad you don’t want to miss!

Make sure you check out the Just Hemp Foods website to learn more about their nutritious and delicious products!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Strawberry Pecan Hemp Seed Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

This Strawberry Pecan Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette is a delicious and nutritious salad to change up your salad routine.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, Gluten Free, Healthy

Servings: 6

Calories: 449kcal

Author: Wendy Polisi

Ingredients

• Chocolate Dressing
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil or 1/2 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup Just Hemp Foods Hemp Seed Oil
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• Salad
• 8 ounces Arugula or Spinach
• 1 1/2 cups strawberries sliced
• 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cubed
• 1/4 cup pecans chopped & toasted
• 1/3 cup Hemp Seed

Instructions

• Make the dressing by combining vinegar, olive oil cocoa powder, maple syrup, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper in a blender. Process until smooth.
• In a large bowl combine spinach or arugula, strawberries and mozzarella. Toss with the desired amount of dressing. Top with pecans and hemp seeds and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 449kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 277mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1115IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 2.8mg