Add a little excitement to your salad with this invigorating recipe. Our Spring Cauliflower Salad tosses a medley of wholesome cauliflower, nutty chickpeas, tart apples, buttery avocados, and delicious Lifeway Farmer Cheese into a bowl and tops it with a dressing made from earthy mustard, tart lime, and smooth Lifeway Kefir. The combination of Lifeway Kefir and Lifeway Farmer Cheese in this recipe gives your gut a double-dose of probiotics while the fruits and veggies further support your body with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, plus fiber.
Cultured Dairy: The Nutrition Benefits You Actually Need to Know
With increasing research linking the correlation between probiotics, gut health, and immunity, it’s no secret that the integrity of our gut is vital to our health. Although additional factors such as stress, antibiotic usage, and individual health conditions can contribute to the condition of our gut, a focus on healthy food choices is one of the easiest ways to support the microbiome.
Several studies have shown a strong association between the gut-brain-microbiota. Probiotics introduced to the gut have been found to support immunity, improve allergies, and improve digestion.
Studies have shown that reduced diversity of healthy gut bacteria during early years is associated with an increase in food allergies during school-age years. In addition, kefir made from whole milk helps absorb key nutrients such as Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Vitamin K is important because it helps your bones absorb calcium. It’s important to know that kefir contains a special trio: vitamin D, K, and calcium – all three crucial elements to support bone health.
Prebiotics + Probiotics = A Healthier You
Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible carbohydrates naturally found in a variety of fiber-rich plant foods. Your body actually can’t digest prebiotics, so they’re what probiotics feed off of to remain actively working in your digestive system. They help the digestive system by promoting the growth of good bacteria. Prebiotics and probiotics work together in balance to make sure our digestive system stays on track and regular. Research has found that consuming a variety of prebiotic and probiotic food sources may improve your body’s natural functions, including both your immune and digestive systems.
Prep Time: 25 mins Servings: 2-4Ingredients
- For the dressing:
- 2 tbsp grainy mustard
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (cold-pressed)
- 1/4 cup Plain Lowfat Kefir
- juice and zest of 1 lime
- salt/pepper to taste
- For the salad:
- 1 14oz can chickpeas
- chili powder, salt + pepper to taste
- 1 head cauliflower
- 1 apple, thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- handful of fresh parsley
- handful of fresh mint
- 2 avocados
- 1 cup, crumbled Farmer Cheese
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place chickpeas on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, chili powder, salt, and pepper and roast for 20-30 mins.
- In a food processor, work in batches and pulse cauliflower until you get small rice sized bits.
- Mix together all ingredients for the dressing and drizzle over all the salad ingredients in a big bowl. Enjoy!