Characteristics
This whole-meal salad is unique in that it incorporates the Asian mushroom Bunapi, also commonly known as the White Beech mushroom. This mushroom offers a rich source of antioxidants, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. It offers a significant source of B vitamins, it is low in calories, and naturally cholesterol-free. If you cannot find this mushroom in your grocery store or market, you can always substitute it with another mushroom, as they are all nutrient-dense, or omit having a mushroom in the salad. Along with the vegetable and dressing ingredients, this salad provides an optimally healthy, nutrient-dense meal or side.
TYPE: Salad, Meal, Appetizer
PREP TIME: < 15 mins
SERVINGS: not set, make according to personal needs
- Raw
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Wheat-free
- Soy-free (depending on dressing choice)
- Corn-free
- Peanut-free
- Nut-free
- Refined Sugar-Free
Goodies Needed*
INGREDIENTS:
- Romaine Lettuce or Other Salad Greens (organic)
- Broccoli (organic)
- Bell Peppers (organic)
- Carrots (organic)
- Tomatoes (organic)
- White Beech (Bunapi) Mushrooms OR other mushroom of your choice
Dressing:
- 3 TBSP Organic Rice Vinegar
- 3 TBSP Organic Tamari Sauce
- 1 tsp or a small chunk of fresh, organic Ginger
- 1 Organic Garlic Clove
- 1 TBSP Organic Tahini - sesame seed butter
- 1 Organic Orange - for freshly squeezed juice
TOOLS:
Preparation Steps
- Gently rinse/clean the mushrooms and chop into small pieces. If you are comfortable with it for your digestive system, you can eat them raw. Otherwise, sauté the mushrooms on a thin layer of water in a stainless steel pan with a lid on for about 5-10 minutes on low heat. When they are ready, place them in a large salad bowl.
- Wash the lettuce and remove excess water using a salad spinner. Chop up the lettuce into small pieces. Add into large salad bowl.
- Wash the pepper(s), tomato(es), carrot(s) and broccoli, dice, peel if needed, and add into the bowl.
- Place all of the ingredients for the dressing into your Vitamix/Blender and blend on high speed until a uniform consistency is reached. (About 15-30 seconds in the Vitamix)
- Drizzle the dressing over your salad and mix all the ingredients together.
- Serve and enjoy!
Meal Nutritional Benefits
Lettuce
- provides some healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and is virtually fat-free
- provides lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provides vitamins, especially vitamin A, C, K, and some B vitamins, including folate and choline
- provides minerals, especially potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium
- supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other lifestyle diseases
Crimini Mushrooms
- provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are naturally low in fat
- provide antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits
- provide vitamins, especially B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and folate
- provide minerals, especially selenium, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support immune function and protect against infections
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
Tomatoes
- provide some carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
- provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A, C, K, and some B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, chromium, and zinc
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- support healthy eye health, immune health, and digestive health
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
Broccoli
- provides healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and is virtually fat-free
- provides lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provides vitamins, especially vitamin A, C, K, and most B vitamins, including folate
- provides minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc
- supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, and other diseases
Bell Peppers
- provide some carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
- provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A, C, E, K, and most B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and iron
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, infections, and other diseases
Carrots
- provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
- provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A, C, K, and most B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support optimal eye health, bone health, and digestive health
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases
Sesame Seeds / Tahini
- provide healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
- provide phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
- provide vitamins, especially vitamin A and most B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, osteoporosis, and other diseases
Garlic
- provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
- provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
- provides vitamins, especially vitamin C and some B vitamins
- provides minerals, especially manganese, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, and copper
- supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- supports the immune system and iron metabolism
- protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
- supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
Ginger
- provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
- provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
- provides vitamins, specifically vitamin C, choline, and folate
- provides minerals, especially potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium
- supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- supports digestive health; helps with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and gas
- supports immune health and protects against infections
- protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
- supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
Oranges
- provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, a little protein, and are virtually fat-free
- provide lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
- provide vitamins, most specifically vitamin C and some B vitamins, including folate
- provide minerals, especially potassium, calcium, and copper
- support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
- support immune function and protect against infections
- protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, kidney stones, ulcers, and rheumatoid arthritis
(*) Include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases and it does not cost you anything extra.