Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

 Download your free e-book "8 ways to kickstart your food freedom now"

Ready to leave
food rules behind?

It's time to come home to you.

Ditch Diet Culture

Grab your free ebook Download! 
 

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Learn about Coaching Services

MIND-BODY EATING COACH, REGISTERED NURSE, AND YOGA TEACHER. I'M HERE TO HELP YOU FIND FOOD FREEDOM AND HEAL YOUR MINDSET AROUND HEALTH SO YOU CAN LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE!

I offer a free, 45 minute consultation for people ready to overcome challenges related to chronic dieting, body image, and weight. Schedule a call to see if my coaching services are right for you to reach your goals.

The Best Southwest Salad

Southwest Salad Laura Guilmain

 

You’ll love this southwest salad! It’s bursting with flavor and loaded with healthy, satisfying ingredients.

 

My husband improvised this dish because we love southwest-inspired meals and hadn’t found our perfect southwest salad. As a result of trial and error, he created a salad that packs a punch of flavor. You’ll notice what I’m talking about with the spiciness of radishes and poblano peppers combined with the earthiness of toasted seeds with cumin, as well as the finishing sweetness of raisins pickled in lime juice. The mixture of cumin, lime, and cilantro is the key to bringing forth the classic southwestern flavor.

 

Yum! Is your mouth watering yet? 

 

We enjoy this southwest salad on regular rotation, especially in the warmer months. If you do too, consider preparing a double batch to have for lunch or as a tasty side- the dressing gets better with time, and the veggies are crunchy enough to hold up against the dressing. Additionally, you could always wait to dress your second batch until the day you’re ready to enjoy another round.

 

The essential ingredients for the best southwest salad:

 

Green Cabbage

Packed with nutrients in each satisfying crunch, green cabbage is also high in vitamin C. Its fiber content helps fill you up and aids in optimizing digestion and keeping the lining of your stomach and digestion strong. Additionally, cabbage-based salads keep well and hold up to being “dressed” longer while still maintaining their crunch.

 

Poblano Peppers

I love a pleasant warmth in a dish. Poblano peppers, as a mild variety of chili peppers, delivers that depth in spades. They are bursting with vitamins A and C, carotenoids, and capsaicin- which may act as antioxidants and reduce inflammation. 

 

Pepitas

AKA pumpkin seeds! These seeds add to the crunch and are full of nutrients, including magnesium and fiber.

 

Sunflower Seeds

Known for their distinct nutty flavor, these seeds pack in even more nutrition to this powerhouse dish. They are high in protein and rich in healthy fats and antioxidants.

 

Cilantro

Cilantro is the leaf of the coriander plant, but these two flavor profiles are significantly different. Do you love cilantro or hate it? It’s a polarizing herb, no doubt! If you’re not on board, it could be due to genetics. Some people taste lemony and bright flavors, whereas others experience a negative, soapy taste. It’s no surprise that the latter would avoid this herb. If you love it, toss it in! Whereas, if you have an aversion, consider substituting a tablespoon of oregano.

 

Radishes

Radishes are another ingredient that adds to this dish’s beautiful texture while also contributing a pop of color! They are root vegetables with a flavor profile I’d describe as spicy or peppery. As such, they offer a nice bite while also providing a good source of antioxidants.

 

Olive Oil

Rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, olive oil lends a smoothness to this southwest salad. Consequently, it helps all the flavors harmonize while aiding good absorption of the nutrients from the vegetables in this dish. 

 

Lime

What is a southwest salad without lime?! The classic garnish on a southwestern inspired dish, limes also increase the production of digestive juices, enchancing the digestion of the meal.

 

Golden Raisins

Golden raisins are not sun-dried. Instead, at controlled temperature and humidity levels, a large dehydrator brings you this fruiter, lighter flavor. This preparation offers extra plumpness and juiciness compared to the brown variety. 

 

Cumin

Known as a delicious match for meat, cumin gives this vegetarian dish more depth and complexity. Rich, hearty, and warm, with a hint of citrus, cumin enhances the savory flavor and satisfaction in this southwest salad.

 

Green Onions

I adore the sweet, mild flavor and versatility of green onions. Be sure to remove the slimy pieces, if any, before chopping. The dark green ends offer a sharp flavor reminiscent of chives and a crisp texture. The white parts bring a more traditional oniony punch.

 

I hope you love this southwest salad as much as we do!

 

Let me know what you think. Follow me on Instagram and leave me a DM. I’d love to connect!

 

To your health,

Laura

 

If you enjoy this recipe and want to try out one of my other all-time favorite comfort foods, check out my Easy Homemade Applesauce- Tasty and Unsweetened

 

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon heart heart icon heart solid heart solid icon
Southwest salad-Laura Guilmain-2

The Best Southwest Salad

  • Author: Laura Guilmain
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 5-7
  • Total Time: 50 minute
  • Yield: About 10 cups 1x
  • Category: salad
  • Method: cook, chop
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A delicious salad that can easily hold center stage as a meal of its own. Also pairs nicely with any protein of choice, especially grilled chicken, and any type of lager.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

  • 6 cups of green cabbage sliced thinly, stem removed
  • 2 poblano peppers, seeds and ribs removed, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup raw pepitas
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped finely
  • 8 radishes, spiralized or sliced thinly

Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 limes, juiced
  • 1/2 cup golden raisins
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 5 green onions, sliced thinly
  • about 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • finish with coarse salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Spread the pepitas and sunflower seeds thinly onto a baking sheet and place in a 350 degree F oven for 5-7 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Stir once, halfway through.
  2. Juice the 3 limes into a small bowl and combine with raisins, green onions, and cumin. Hold on adding the olive oil.
  3. The seeds should almost be done toasting at this point. Put them into a large salad bowl and add remaining prepared ingredients (cabbage, poblano peppers, cilantro, radishes).
  4. Drizzle with olive oil and toss.
  5. Add the lime concoction and toss again.
  6. Serve cold. Flavor improves with time.

Notes

Mixing the lime juice and onions mellows the harshness of the onions. The raisins will plump up with lime juice while you prepare the other ingredients.

Kate

"Laura is extremely knowledgeable in many areas. Her natural talent to communicate with people helps them be the best version of themselves. Although her site states she focuses on food, nutrition, and people’s relationships with these things, which she is extremely talented at Laura has much more to offer. I have worked with many people in the past and Laura has been the first one to help me make this much change in my life! She's a business mentor and consultant, a communication specialist, and is helping me to be a better person overall. She's helped me face some very traumatic parts of my past, along with many other obstacles that have held me back, allowing me to finally become the person I have always wanted to be! Laura continues to believe in me and see my successes, even when I initially can’t. She patiently provides me the guidance to continue making progress and finding new beliefs in a solid but compassionate, nonjudgmental, supportive way. I don’t think there is anyone who wouldn't benefit from working with her!"

"Some people were born to help others and to create a better world, Laura is one of those people!"

Client success

Adrienne

"I began working with Laura after frustration with a health condition inspired me to make lifestyle changes around food, exercise, and mindset. I was looking for the answer to my problem and became overwhelmed by all the information out there. I struggled with taking action and accountability. From the first coaching session, I was comfortable telling Laura about my struggles and fears. She listened and reassured me that I could find freedom and live a happy and healthy life based off of my choices. Then she showed me the way. I found so much power within me from working with her. I learned how to create goals I could reach and each success led me to take the next step. Today, I am healthy and happy. There are a lot of paths to healthy living, but I know my success and excitement for the future would not have happened without working with Laura!"

"She listened and reassured me that I could find freedom..." 

Client success

Joy

"Laura has been an incredible source of compassion and guidance. I started working with her during a difficult time- I was feeling overcome with guilt around my choices and how they were effecting my health. I felt an instant connection with Laura. She created a safe and caring environment so I felt at ease honestly sharing personal details of my life. Laura was empathetic and offered practical support on how to address different health situations step-by-step. She provided many tools that I continue to use each and every day. Laura taught me the path to healing myself by facing my fears and being intentional with my choices."

"She created a safe and caring environment so I felt at ease honestly sharing personal details of my life."

Client success

Michelle

"Choices can be frustrating and confusing- and now I know they can also be rewarding. Laura taught me how to choose differently. To become aware of my thoughts, how to choose them intentionally, and learn how my thoughts create my feelings. I used to feel so powerless- now I understand myself and my actions so much better. I am grateful I chose to invest in myself by working with Laura. It has changed every aspect of my life for the better. I figured out practical, daily self-love, even when the opposite used to come more naturally. I know the power of my yes and no and I finally choose what I want for my life rather than staying in fear of change." 

"Working with Laura showed me the strength of my choices."

Client success

Christine

"Coaching with Laura was like finally taking a complete exhale. I was so wound up- scared and confused about my chronic health conditions and how to make lifestyle changes, as well as anxious about an upcoming surgery. Now I tell everyone about how beneficial our sessions were. Laura helped me see what was possible. From there, I settled in and learned how to believe in myself. I made changes that are doable to this day without feeling deprived. Are there days I don't want to follow through? Sure, but with the skills Laura taught me, I know how to work through discomfort and move forward in support of my goals. Discovering my strong why is a huge motivator. Laura changed my life by helping me create a lifestyle I enjoy. I feel great." 

"Laura helped me see what was possible."

Client success

Heather

"In the past year, my body has changed so much-both in form and function- thanks to this life-changing, life-extending med for cystic fibrosis...As a result, I've struggled hard with body image...But I don't want to be someone who chooses appearance over health. And I know that every ounce of work I put into challenging self-defeating thoughts is only going to help me age gracefully. I want to move joyfully as long as my body will allow. And I'm lucky enough to know this amazing woman...If you want guidance on how to reframe your thoughts and develop love and understanding exactly as you are, Laura is a resource. I don't think there's anything more worth paying love and attention to than our continued health. I eat well and exercise. It's time for that to be enough." 

"If you want guidance on how to reframe your thoughts and develop love and understanding exactly as you are, Laura is a resource."

Client success

Melissa

"From the moment I learned how Laura works with people to improve self-image, compassion, health, & joy of life,  I was so open to the process- embracing it all. It was energizing, comforting, & freeing. Despite years of therapy & my healthcare profession, I never heard wellbeing & the process of generating desired results explained & offered in a way that was compassionate & approachable. It just made sense. I was put at ease even though I knew it would be deep work. She brings levity & possibility to the sessions. I trust we are going deep, & during that process, she'll hold non-judgmental space for everything that comes up. Since she shows you how to release judgement & shame, I'm encouraged to move forward to take action. Working with Laura is a process filled with hope & results." 

"Nothing has touched my heart like this."

Client success

Jamie

"Laura has helped me completely change the way I show up to social situations. I no longer see them as roadblocks to my healthy lifestyle- they are a part of a healthy lifestyle. She taught me to have my own back every single time so I make choices that are consistent with what matters most to me.

She helped me celebrate trial and error- learning along the way- and seeing all the things I loved about connecting with others besides the food and drinks. Her mindset and breathwork techniques helped transform my social anxiety. Now, I enjoy socializing more and feel stronger with every social situation I have. What used to be triggers are now opportunities for me to practice new skills. And I'm getting better every time. Life always seems easier after calls with Laura! And I'm strengthening my own inner voice to offer that same support."

"Life always seems easier after calls with Laura!"

Client success

When customizing your design, paste the embed code for your one-of-a-kind Interact quiz here!

What is your bridal style?

Quiz

© 2021 Laura Guilmain. All Rights Reserved. Showit Template by With Grace and Gold. Photography by Carrie Cox and Annie Senechal

Terms & conditions

privacy

|