This February we are celebrating Heart Health Month with our friends at California Walnuts while we snack on this delicious Walnut Broccoli Apple Slaw!
With a winning combination of sweet apples, crunchy toasted walnuts and broccoli slaw, this simple salad can be the first step towards a more heart healthy diet.
Walnut Broccoli Apple Slaw
Sweet apples, crunchy toasted walnuts and broccoli slaw make up this simple salad. A honey lemon vinaigrette is the perfect finish. (Make it a main dish salad by adding your choice of lean protein)
Ingredients:
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger (optional)
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Salad
- 3/4 cup coarsely chopped California walnuts, toasted
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup minced red onion
- 1 (12-oz.) bag broccoli slaw (4 cups)
- 1 large apple, cored and cut into small bite-size pieces (preferably honey crisp or Fuji)
Preparation:
- Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a large bowl.
- Add walnuts, cranberries, onion, broccoli slaw and apple. Toss well to coat with dressing.
Why Are Walnuts Good For My Heart?
Eating walnuts as part of a healthy diet may decrease your risk of heart disease.
Walnuts may do this by helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels and decrease blood pressure, two of the major risk factors for heart disease. They are also a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. Walnuts contain 2.5 grams of ALA per ounce.
Also, when eaten as part of a Mediterranean dietary pattern (a diet rich in fish, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil and nuts, legumes and beans) walnuts may lower risk of both heart disease and stroke.
A recent study shows that, among persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts, including walnuts, reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events.
Learn more at: walnuts.org
Why California Walnuts?
Did you know that more than 99% of the walnuts in the U.S. are grown in the fertile soils of California’s Central Valley? Internationally, California walnuts supply approximately half of the world’s walnut trade. Also, as a whole food that has been certified by the American Heart Association with the Heart-Check mark, walnuts are an ideal choice in a sensible eating plan.
Find everything you need for this recipe and many more heart healthy favorites at your local Mollie Stone’s Markets. Click HERE to find a market near you!
Content courtesy of California Walnuts.
