In the past, a few of my Instagram followers asked me to post some of my favorite salads, and most recently, I was asked to share some of my favorite clean salad dressings. I absolutely loved this idea, because salads are such a staple in my weekly menus. In fact, I’m eating one right now as I type this 😉

This week I’m featuring one of my favorite homemade recipes, Asian Citrus Salad with Sweet Sesame Dressing. As a stay/work-at-home-mama, I survive off meals that are quick, healthy, and easy, so I love using bags of lettuce blends that are pre-washed and pre-cut. I have no shame in my salad game!

Asian Citrus Salad:

• 1/4 cup Sweet Peas, cooked
• 1-2 cups shredded green and purple cabbage + kale or spinach, or both
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cucumber, cubed
• 1/2 orange, peeled + cubed or 1-2 mandarin orange(s), peeled + cubed
• 4 pineapple chunks, cubed
• 2 tablespoons unsalted cashews, chopped or 2 tablespoons unsalted, slivered almonds, or both
• 1/2 small can sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup rinsed and drained garbanzo beans
• Ground chicken [or turkey] + pineapple meatballs [1 lb.  ground chicken, 1/2 can crushed pineapple, 1/4 onion, chopped, 2 tablespoons minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 egg; mix everything together and roll into small balls; bake at 375 for about 30 minutes, or until cooked all the way through] or you can find a pretty clean version in your local market by Aidells; they’re DELISH, microwavable, and the perfect protein addition to any salad!

Sweet Sesame Dressing:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons local raw honey
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Bragg’s  liquid soy aminos
• 1/2 tablespoon Garlic Lover’s seasoning by Flavor God
• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil or melted coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons Bragg’s apple cider vinegar or Bragg’s apple cider vinegar + honey blend
• 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1/2 tablespoon pineapple juice
  • In a shakeable container, mix everything together until well blended. Honey tends to clump, so whisk well with a fork. You can also add all salad contents + all dressing contents to a large Tupperware and shake everything together. This helps coat the salad evenly and break up the honey chunks.

I wiped this up yesterday and can’t wait to hear what you think! You can turn this Sweet Sesame Dressing into an Italian Vinegarette SO easily; simply leave out the sesame oil and soy aminos for a dressing or marinade that goes great on almost any salad or meat 🙂

This salad + dressing combo is perfect as a salad when following the Ten Day Trim!

XO, Shelley