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Home » Gluten Free Recipes » Strawberry Pecan Hemp Seed Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

Strawberry Pecan Hemp Seed Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

Published: Oct 13, 2015 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Jun 17, 2021 · 472 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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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.
Strawberry Pecan Salad with Hemp Seeds and Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette
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.

Strawberry Pecan Salad with Hemp Seeds and Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

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, and a little unexpected.

I’ve used strawberries here - because hello chocolate and strawberries - but pears would be nice too. (And are a little more seasonal right now.)
Strawberry Pecan Salad with Hemp Seeds and Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

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 ¼ cup of Just Hemp Foods Hemp Seed oil, which has 2.5g Omega-3 per serving.
Strawberry Pecan Salad with Hemp Seeds and Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette

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
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil or ½ cup olive oil and ¼ cup Just Hemp Foods Hemp Seed Oil
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • Salad
  • 8 ounces Arugula or Spinach
  • 1 ½ cups strawberries sliced
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cubed
  • ¼ cup pecans chopped & toasted
  • ⅓ 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
Strawberry Pecan Hemp Seed Salad with Spicy Chocolate Vinaigrette - WendyPolisi.com
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About Wendy Polisi

Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 10 & 11 and my late life princess is 3. Firm believers in lifestyle design, our family has been location independent since 2008. Join me to read about our adventures in the kitchen…and out!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Searchingforspice

    October 14, 2015 at 11:14 am

    5 stars
    It sounds so unusual but looks delicious! I'd love to try it as I'd never have thought to put cocoa in a vinaigrette before.

    Reply
    • Wendy Polisi

      October 18, 2015 at 6:51 pm

      I love to do unusual things with salads. This was really fun and a great way to change things up!

      Reply
  2. Rebecca P.

    October 14, 2015 at 8:12 pm

    That dressing is beyond awesome!

    Reply
    • Wendy Polisi

      October 18, 2015 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks so much! We really enjoyed it.

      Reply
  3. Tara | Treble in the Kitchen

    October 15, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    Yum! I am in love with hemp seeds right now 🙂

    Reply
    • Wendy Polisi

      October 18, 2015 at 6:50 pm

      I had never really tried them much before this but I'm in love!

      Reply
  4. Donna Mc

    October 17, 2015 at 6:01 pm

    Sounds yummy, going to try next salad. Lunch today!

    Reply
    • Wendy Polisi

      October 18, 2015 at 6:49 pm

      Hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Rhonda

    February 14, 2017 at 12:21 am

    Going to be making this salad for our upcoming Dinner Club, what wine do you think would pair with this salad?

    Reply

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Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 10 & 11 and my late life princess is 3. Firm believers in lifestyle design, our family has been location independent since 2008. Join me to read about our adventures in the kitchen…and out! Read More…

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