Summer Salad Season

I love adding nuts and seeds to salads as it gives a nice texture that makes it more flavoursome. I have a newfound favourite which is a mixture of toasted sunflower seeds and buckwheat groats, which I came across accidentally. Initially I thought of toasting just sunflower seeds to use for a salad dish I was making. The buckwheat groats were next to them and there was only a bit left. I thought I could mix it with sunflower seeds and toast them together. It is indeed a nice surprise and I have loved having them together since.

Sunflower seeds are a rich source of many vital nutrients. A 1/4 cup provides 82% vitamin E, 43% vitamin B1, 28% vitamin B6, 34%manganese, 33% magnesium and 33% phosphorus (based on the average daily recommendation for adults). Like other nuts and seeds, they are high in essential fatty acids and are an excellent source of fibre and protein.

This is a recipe where I use a mixture of sunflower seeds and buckwheat groats. It is a light salad that is so simple yet delicious. It’s a great time to make it as summer is kicking in!

Lettuce & Avocado Salad Ingredients

1/2 head lettuce, shredded

1 avocado, cut into cubes

1 carrot, grated

1/2 C sunflower seeds and buckwheat groats mixture

2 tbsp. olive oil

Salt and pepper

Method

1. Toast the seeds and groats mixture until fragrant. Cool down.
2. In a bowl, add in the lettuce first, then the rest of the ingredients. Gently toss them around to mix thoroughly.
3. Enjoy!

written by Lismi Wong