Fall in Love with Your Salad

The fabulous Ensalada Azteca from Native Foods Cafe

I love salads. You have no idea how weird that must sound to people who knew me years ago. Not only did I not love salads, I pretty much avoided them at all cost. I used to think there was no fricken way a salad could be a real meal. Then again, in those days I used to eat about 3 servings of real vegetables  . . . a week . . . maybe . . . at the very most! Seriously. It couild have been more like 3 real vegetables a month. You’ll notice I said “real vegetables.” That means fresh, raw ones. Not a pickle on my burger, not the tomatoes in my ketchup, and not  those poor things that comes out of cans that have had pretty much all the nutrients and life sucked out of them.

Now I absolutely love salads. And I love ‘em big and packed full of loads of veggies. They are so good for our bodies and a damn good way to get yourself to or keep yourself at a good healthy weight.

 If you aren’t a salad-lover, or if you’re a salad-avoider, like I was, I’m about to share with you something that may change your whole relationship with salads. If you are a salad-lover, then this is just going to make your relationship with salads even more passionate.

Let me introduce you to Mango Lime Vinaigrette. There’s this great restaurant called Native Foods and the owner/chef Tanya is the one responsible for this amazing creation. She’s even won an award for it. That’s always a good sign.

I stumbled upon this wonderful dressing a few months ago when I ordered the Ensalada Azteca from Native Foods Café in L.A. Then I bought their cookbook. Having the recipe for this dressing alone is worth the price of the book. I make a batch and have salads all week. I can’t tell you how excited I am when I get to have a salad with this dressing.

It’s super easy to make so give it a try. Here’s the recipe:

Native Foods Café Mango Lime Vinaigrette

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen mango
½ cup safflower or sunflower oil
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ lime juice
1 Tbs. rice vinegar
1 ½ tsp. sea salt
1 ½ tsp. fresh ginger

Place all the ingredients in a blender and puree. You can put frozen mango right into the blender.

This stuff is salad-magic!

I know you are going to enjoy your salads more than ever with this  great dressing on top.  You are even going to find yourself craving salads. Watch and see. Just remember, as yummy as it is, don’t go crazy, pour gallons of it on top of your veggies.

By the way, and in case you couldn’t tell already . . . I am a big old fan of the Native Foods Café. I can’t recommend them enough or their recipe book. I look for reasons to stop at the cafe whenever I’m in the area. Yum!