This fresh, zesty salad is full of produce I love, from refreshing cucumber to the peppery bite of radishes and arugula. It's the perfect side for all your summertime barbecues!
However, what really sets this salad apart is the nuts, seeds, and toasty macadamia nut dressing. While the misguided nutrition experts of the '80s preached a fat-free diet as the way to shed pounds, they had it dead wrong. In fact, now we know that your body requires healthy fats in your diet in order to burn your own fat reserves! The fastest way to ensure you maintain that winter weight is to eat low-fat…
The key word here is “healthy” fats – not all fats are created equal, and once-trendy vegetable and canola oils carry high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. While your body needs some omega-6s, too many can result in chronic inflammation, elevated harmful cholesterol, and an increased risk of coronary disease.
Instead of eating oils heavy in omega-6s, your menu choices should focus on omega-3 fatty acids. They're naturally anti-inflammatory, meaning they can help with everything from brain health to lowering your risk of a heart attack. (To find out more and get the hard science, check out this article: What Are Omega-3s and Why Do You Need Them?)
And guess what has plenty of superfood omega 3s? The nuts, seeds, and dressing on this fantastic salad! One more reason to take advantage of your local farmer's market and put together this stunning side. Or add a cup of steamed quinoa and top it with grilled chicken breast to turn it into a main dish that's the star of the show.
Want even more yummy options for your next backyard BBQ? Try adding succulent BBQ Glazed Chickenand juicy Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsato this vibrant Cucumber Radish Salad. Then finish off your feast with fruity Blueberry Sorbet.
July 24, 2016
This salad is light and refreshing with a satisfying crunch. It can easily be made ahead – just store the dressing separately.
Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
- Prep: 15 mins
- Yields: Makes 2 main dish servings or 4 sides
Ingredients
4 mini or Persian cucumbers, unpeeled, ends trimmed, cut into ¼-inch-thick slices
4 radishes, sliced
2 cups baby arugula
1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 tbsp coarsely chopped raw walnuts
2 tbsp coarsely chopped raw pecans
1/2 tsp sesame seeds
1/2 tsp chia seeds
2 tbsp Toasted Macadamia Nut Dressing (recipe below)
chopped fresh dill to serve (optional)
Directions
1Combine the cucumbers, radishes, arugula, onion, walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, and chia seeds in a bowl.
2Add the dressing and toss well to coat.
3Divide between two plates and serve, sprinkled with fresh dill if desired.
This recipe is part of the Backyard BBQ menu, with BBQ Glazed Chicken, Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsa, Cucumber & Radish Salad, and Blueberry Sorbet. Check out theBackyard BBQ Menu and Guidefor links to all the recipes, plus more handy tips and activities for the best backyard BBQ ever!
Originally published in The Virgin Diet Cookbook, Grand Central Life & Style, 2014.
For more healthy, tasty recipes go tojjvirgin.com/recipes.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size4
Calories272
Sodium169 mg
Protein6 grams
Total Fat24 grams
Saturated Fat2 grams
Total Carbohydrates11 grams
Dietary Fiber5 grams
July 24, 2016
Macadamia nuts have a buttery taste and are a rich source of heart-healthy energy. Keep this dressing in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Yields: 1/2 cup
Ingredients
1/3 cup macadamia nut oil
1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/8 tsp monk fruit extract
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Directions
1Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
2Add the macadamia nuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, 4 to 5 minutes.
3Transfer to a bowl and let cool.
4Coarsely chop the nuts.
5Combine the remaining oil, the vinegar, mustard, monk fruit extract, salt, and pepper in another bowl.
6Stir in the cooled nuts and any oil that accumulated at the bottom of the bowl.
This recipe is part of the Backyard BBQ menu, with BBQ Glazed Chicken, Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsa, Cucumber & Radish Salad, and Blueberry Sorbet. Check out theBackyard BBQ Menu and Guidefor links to all the recipes, plus more handy tips and activities for the best backyard BBQ ever!
Originally published in The Virgin Diet Cookbook, Grand Central Life & Style, 2014.
For more healthy, tasty recipes go tojjvirgin.com/recipes.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size1 tablespoon
Calories230
Sodium320 mg
Protein1 gram
Total Fat25 grams
Saturated Fat3 grams
Total Carbohydrates2 grams
Dietary Fiber1 gram
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FAQs
But do you know that cucumber and radish should not be eaten together because cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C? For this reason, cucumber and radish should not be eaten together.
How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy? ›
Salt: The secret to the best cucumber salad is to salt your cucumbers. The salt makes the cucumbers taste better and removes excess water, diluting the dressing. I use sea salt, but any salt will do. Vinegar: I love apple cider vinegar in this dressing, but distilled or white wine vinegar also works nicely.
How many cucumbers do you need to make a salad? ›
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 large cucumbers (or 4 to 5 smaller cucumbers)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, basil, or Thai basil (see Recipe Note)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
But for that you have to add the right ingredients that are full of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. So an ideal salad will be a medley of salad leaves, broccoli, bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, seeds.
What should be not eaten with radishes? ›
Radish and Oranges
Eating radish with oranges can significantly harm our health. This combination acts as a kind of poison and may lead to stomach problems and various other health issues, so it's important to be cautious.
Why you must not eat raw cucumber with meals? ›
According to Reema Kinjalkar, a nutritionist at Urban Platter, cucurbitacin imparts bitter taste. Some people with weak digestive health may find it hard to digest cucumber due to this compound, as it known to induce indigestion problems such as gas and bloating.
What can you put on cucumbers to make them taste good? ›
Salt – It draws moisture out of the cucumbers, giving them a crisp, pickle-like texture. It also makes the flavors in this salad pop! Fresh dill and chives – Dill is a classic ingredient in a cucumber onion salad, as its sour flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.
Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›
What Makes Cucumbers Bitter? A specific compound called cucurbitacin is responsible for the bitter flavor. "Cucurbitacin is generally more concentrated in the skin and towards the stem end of the fruit," says Tucker Taylor, director of culinary gardens at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate & Gardens in Sonoma County.
Why are my cucumbers slimy in my salad? ›
Why Are My Cucumbers Slimy? The light-white or clear coating of slime you may find on your cucumbers is a sign that the rotting process has begun, and it's just matter of time before they totally spoil.
What is the best vinegar for salads? ›
White wine vinegar
This vinegar has a much mellower flavor than red wine vinegar and lacks the sharp tang of its sister vinegar. White wine vinegar is best used with more delicate salads and any situation where you want to add a hint of vinegar, but do not want that flavor to overwhelm the dish.
Long English Cucumber
Long English Cucumbers have a good crunch with thin, delicate skin that's easy to digest. The best part: you don't even need to peel them—just slice 'em up and eat them as the perfect quick snack. This type of Cucumber is great in salads as well as a ton of other things, too!
Should I peel cucumber for salad? ›
A cucumber sandwich needs the peel to be removed. But a standard salad needs the peel to remain on.
Is cucumber good for high blood pressure? ›
Cucumbers are a good source of potassium, magnesium and dietary fibre. These nutrients are known to lower blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart diseases. Research has also proved that regular consumption of cucumber juice was helpful in reducing blood pressure, in elderly people with hypertension.
How do you keep cucumbers from getting soggy in salad? ›
Sprinkle them with a couple of pinches of salt, toss to coat, and let them rest for about 30 minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel and proceed with the recipe. You can go a little lighter on the salt than the recipe calls for since you'll have already seasoned the cucumbers a bit in this process.
What are radishes good to eat with? ›
Beyond serving radishes raw as part of a veggie tray, you could slice them thin to top tacos or nachos. You could also par-boil them and serve them with butter, a technique popular in France. We've even heard of people adding them to stir-fries.
Are radishes good to eat raw? ›
Radishes can be eaten raw, roasted, braised or pickled. Spring radishes may be best when eaten raw, sliced on top of a green salad, grated in a slaw, or dipped in a bit of salt or other dressing. They can be enjoyed year-round when roasted, braised or pickled.
Are there foods that should not be eaten together? ›
Avoid combining starches and proteins. Avoid combining starches with acidic foods. Avoid combining different types of protein. Consume dairy products only on an empty stomach, especially milk.
Do radishes digest easily? ›
Like any other vegetable, radishes are filled with fiber. And there's nothing quite like fiber for your digestive system. However, what makes radishes so great for digestion is the specific kind of fiber they offer. Radishes are rich in lignin, which is an insoluble fiber.
