Are you on a January detox? If so …. has it been delayed??
Please, please, PLEASE answer yes to that second question.
My cold that kicked into action January 1st seems to literally be the cold of the century… REFUSING to shift no matter how many oranges, vitamins and bowls of kale I consume. It’s driving me crazy, because normally I do not stay sick and am hugely smug about my ability to shift illness (karma?).
Oh, and also I’m suppoused to be on HOLIDAY.
Anyways.
I was actually very good for the first few days of sickness but, by Day Four, I was well truly over being good. The sugar and alcohol fast were not performing as intended, and I was depressed about the state of affairs.
I gathered my belongings, attempted to brush my hair and headed into the city for a day of indulgent eating, sugary cocktails and hoarse conversations. YAY! It probably delayed my recovery, but I don’t feel any worse per se, so whatever. At least I had fun! And since then I’ve been well an truly off the detox wagon… living off frozen yogurt, cookies, burritos and wine.
Yeah.
And that’s why I now need this salad. Again.
We actually ate this salad when we first arrived in California, and I forgot how much I love it. Rich in protein, vitamin C and phytonutrients it is the PERFECT detox salad. Just make sure you use some dark leafy greens for part of the salad (ie. rocket or baby spinach), and also include the alfalfa sprouts.
Another advantage of this salad is that it’s endlessly adaptable. Normally I actually use mango in place of the mandarin. I actually think mango is a bit tastier, but I was going for seasonal. And mandarin is really nice too! If you don’t like or eat tofu, smoked or shredded chicken works great too … and use honey roasted cashews if you want to be a bit more indulgent. (I’m un-trustworthy with big packets in the house… but you might be more responsible!).
The best thing about this salad is that it’s one of those healthy dishes that you can serve to anyone. As much as I love roasted brussels sprouts or kale, they are always going to be very ‘apparently healthy’. This salad is more like a Caesar Salad in that it’s clearly a salad … but there is nothing ‘in your face healthy’ about it. Also sort of like crudite and hummus.
Just make sure you give them a square of white chocolate afterwards. Because every detox should let you have a tiny bit of chocolate.
SMOKED TOFU MANDARIN AND CASHEW SALAD
Serves 2
Total Time: 20 minutes (10 minutes, if you don’t bake the tofu)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 200g of smoked tofu
- 1 large bunch of salad leaves (rocket or a baby spinach mix would be the healthiest)
- 2 handfuls of alfalfa sprouts
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 yellow pepper, finely chopped
- 1/2 avocado, peeled and chopped into segments
- 2 mandarins, chopped (or 1/2 mango, peeled and chopped into segments)
- 1/4 cucumber, chopped
- 2 handfuls of lightly toasted cashews
- lime, black pepper, chilli flakes, soy sauce (optional dressings)
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 200.
- Whisk together the first four ingredients to make a dressing. Set aside.
- If baking, chop tofu into 1 inch sized blocks and place, on foil, in pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. They are finished when they crisp up at the sides!
- Whilst the tofu is cooking assemble all other ingredients, except the nuts, and divide between two bowls. When the tofu is cooked divide the tofu between the two plates, and then top with cashews.
- Divide the dressing between the two bowls and then finish with plenty of lime juice. Add black pepper or chili flakes if desired.
Nutritional Info:
Per Serving: Calories: 400, Protein: 22g, Fat: 20g, Carbohydrate 35g.
Vitamin C: 212% RDA, Vitamin A: 50% RDA, Calcium: 78% Iron: 27% RDA
