Strawberry Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans

When you get bored of garden salads, this Strawberry Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans has it all:  peppery arugula, sweet strawberries, spiced pecans, the tang of goat cheese and a zesty lime dressing to finish it off!  You can make the pecans ahead of time and store any leftovers in a plastic container in your fridge. 

Featured Ingredients

Strawberries are the most nutrient-dense fruit you can pick up at the majority of grocery stores. They are also the top food source of phytosterols, delivering 719.7 mg per 1-cup serving. Research has shown that eating at least 2 grams of plant sterols per day can lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by 5 to 10%!

Arugula (aka rocket) is a super nutrient-dense food rich in phytonutrients (especially glucosinolates and carotenoids), vitamin K, and folate. Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing compounds that break down into bioactive isothiocyanates and indoles – compounds that are absolute rock stars as far as human health is concerned!

Pecans deliver at least 10% or more of the daily value of 11 different nutrients including vitamins, minerals, functional fats, phytonutrients, and fiber. They are a top 25 food source of linoleic acid, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and vitamin E.

Strawberry Nutrients

Arugula Nutrients

Pecan Nutrients

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans

Nutrivore Score: 261

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 16 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 360kcal

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Ingredients

• 1 cup pecans raw halves
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon allspice
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom
• juice of one lime approximately 2 tablespoons
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper to taste
• 8 cups arugula
• ½ pound strawberries sliced
• ¼ cup goat cheese crumbled, optional

Instructions

• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add coconut oil and honey. Add pecans and stir to coat.
• Sprinkle spices over pecans and stir to coat evenly.
• Continue stirring constantly and cook until pecans have browned and are fragrant, 5-6 minutes. Watch carefully to make sure they don’t burn!
• Pour pecans out onto a plate and let cool.
• Mix lime juice, olive oil and black pepper well and pour onto salad immediately (or mix again right before use).
• Toss arugula, strawberries and pecans.
• Top with crumbled goat cheese
• Drizzle dressing over salad immediately before serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Pecans

Amount per Serving

Calories

360

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

34

g

52

%

Saturated Fat

 

8

g

50

%

Polyunsaturated Fat

 

7

g

Monounsaturated Fat

 

17

g

Cholesterol

 

7

mg

2

%

Sodium

 

64

mg

3

%

Potassium

 

359

mg

10

%

Carbohydrates

 

13

g

4

%

Fiber

 

5

g

21

%

Sugar

 

8

g

9

%

Protein

 

7

g

14

%

Vitamin A

 

1120

IU

22

%

Vitamin C

 

40

mg

48

%

Calcium

 

117

mg

12

%

Iron

 

2

mg

11

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.