Overindulged last weekend? Due for a detox?
Then try Jamie Oliver’s delicious cranberry spinach salad today for lunch or dinner. Cranberries happen to be a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and vitamin E and will help you detox.
The nutritional breakdown of cranberries
Vitamin C
It’s a powerful natural antioxidant capable of blocking some of the damage caused by free radicals, as well as boosting the body’s resistance against infectious agents, according to the University of Maryland Medical Centre. Sailors once carried cranberries aboard their ships to avoid scurvy because of their high vitamin C content.
Fibre
According to the Department of Internal Medicine and Nutritional Sciences Program at the University of Kentucky, high-fiber intakes are associated with significantly lower risks for developing coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and certain gastrointestinal diseases.
Increased fiber intake has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and enhance weight loss for obese individuals.
Vitamin E
A fat-soluble antioxidant involved in immune function may help prevent or delay chronic diseases associated with free radicals.
The original recipe makes 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3/4 cup almonds, blanched and slivered
- 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons minced onion
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
Directions
In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Cook and stir almonds in butter until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and let cool.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, sugar, onion, paprika, white wine vinegar, cider vinegar, and vegetable oil. Toss with spinach just before serving.
In a large bowl, combine the spinach with the toasted almonds and cranberries.