Recipe for Grilled Salmon Salad

by Noor H. Salem, certified holistic health coach

Whether you are attempting to avoid gluten in your diet, or are hoping to lose a few pounds by eliminating refined sweeteners and carbohydrates, this salad is a perfect dish to try! It is loaded with healthy fats, protein, dietary fiber, and most importantly, mouthwatering flavor. You can swap out the salmon for shrimp or chicken, and add a bit of hot sauce to give it a pungent twist. Beans are loaded with protein, dietary fiber, B Vitamins, iron, and zinc. Best of all, they are extremely filling, and balance blood sugar spikes thus will reduce the likelihood of reaching for unhealthy treats thereafter. Avocadoes, avocado oil, and cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil are healthy fats loaded with heart health benefits, digestive benefits, and antioxidants that enhance your cognitive health in multiple ways. While might one perceives that consuming fats will cause one to gain weight, healthy fats do the very opposite. They balance your blood sugar levels, keep you full post-meals, and reduce your cravings for sweets or other junk.

Salmon, the star of this salad, is not only delicious and filling but an incredibly high source of protein. It is also extremely high in omega-3 fatty acids, which can enhance your cognitive health, cardiovascular health, and reduce inflammation. Whether you are weightlifting and seeking a high-protein meal, or love seafood, this salad will definitely please your taste buds. It’s important to note that I highly recommend purchasing your salmon wild-caught, to avoid the hormones and unhealthy feed of the farm-raised version. Adding lime and cilantro on top not only gives delectable flavor, but also provides you with a boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that cleanse your system from within. Enjoy this salad at your next family dinner party, or as a tasty and satisfying meal. 

Ingredients:

• 5 cups of romaine lettuce, baby spinach, and baby kale, chopped
• 1 cup organic garbanzo beans, roasted in avocado oil, garlic powder, pink salt, and black pepper
• ¼ cup organic raw cheese, freshly grated
• ½ cup tomatoes, diced
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• ½ cup green onions, chopped
• 2 avocados, sliced
• 8 4-ounce filets, (add spices like cayenne, garlic, ginger and dill to give it flavor)
• 2 limes, sliced
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Drizzle of cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

1. Place the lettuce at the bottom of your serving bowl. Place the beans piled in one area, and the remaining toppings side by side to make an appealing design.
2. Heat a skillet on high heat; grill the salmon 3-4 minutes on each side (if fresh salmon) or until cooked to your preference. Add on top of the lettuce.
3. Squeeze the fresh lime on top, drizzle olive oil, and finish off with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

Noor H. Salem is an author, speaker, and Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, from Michigan. Noor works with clients in better understanding their bodies and healing with natural foods through her wellness practice, Holistic Noortrition. She presents various workshops, school lectures, group coaching classes, and community lectures on the topic of holistic health. Noor recently published her book, SUNNAH SUPERFOODS, a culmination of life-changing recipes and remedies, with a foreword by Dr. Waleed Basyouni. Her book consists of prophetic hadith, modern research, and delicious recipes, and is in the process of being translated into other language.