super seed pumpkin & broccoli salad

A scrumptious salad with a bit of oomph! This gluten free, dairy free, healthy salad recipe has loads of vitamins and minerals to keep you full whilst nourishing your body. With added crunch from a mix of nutritous seeds, this super seed salad will provide your body with a good dose of nutrients. 

This super healthy salad makes for a great lunch or a light dinner with added protein of choice. 

Nourish 101: 

• This super-seed super-salad provides your body with a balanced source of vitamins and minerals with its nutrient-rich ingredients.
• Pumpkin is a powerhouse of anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamin A and C necessary for maintaining healthy skin, eye sight and mucus membranes. 
• Broccoli is a rich source of vitamin K (needed for healthy bones and utilisation of calcium), vitamin C (boosting your immune system) and chromium (helping to reduce sugar cravings). 
• Pumpkin seeds are rich in iron, protein, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and zinc.
• Sunflower Seeds are a good source the amino acid tryptophan as well as rich in vitamin E, B-complex vitamins and folic acid and minerals calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, selenium and zinc.

• Pine Nuts are packed full of vitamins E and K as well as minerals magnesium, zinc and manganese. 

• Sesame Seeds are a fantastic source of non-dairy calcium. They also provide a source of magnesium, zinc, iron, selenium and copper. The phytosterols founds in sesame seeds are also helpful in lowering blood cholesterol. 

Recipe
Ingredients:

• 1/4 small Pumpkin, diced 
• 1 head Broccoli, cut into small florets
• 4 cups Leafy Salad Greens
• 3 teaspoons Olive Oil 
• Juice of 1/2 Lemon
• 1/4 cup Fresh Coriander Leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Leaves, finely chopped 
• 1 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower Seeds 
• 1 tablespoon Pine Nuts
• 2 teaspoons Sesame Seeds (white &/or black)

Method:

1. Steam pumpkin and broccoli until just tender. Set aside. (Cool if preferred). 
2. In a large mixing bowl combine olive oil, lemon juice and herbs. 
3. Add salad greens and toss to dress leaves. 
4. Toast pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pine nuts and sesame seeds for a few minutes in a frying pan. 
5. Add pumpkin and broccoli to salad leaves and sprinkle with toasted seeds just before serving.

Make It Personal: 

• Add your choice of poached or boiled eggs, cooked salmon, cooked and shredded chicken or canned salmon/tuna to boost protein content. 
• You can either serve this salad with warm pumpkin or broccoli or cooked and chilled depending on your liking.