This salad is anything but boring. Filled with roasted cauliflower, aromatic fennel, crispy chickpeas, peppery arugula, fruity pears and finished with a sweet, creamy maple-cashew dressing, this will get you out of your salad rut!
Helllllllo friends! Happy almost end of the first week of 2016!
I forgot to ask you guys on Monday if you made any resolutions for the New Year. So, did you? Do tell.
Or, maybe you are like me and avoid resolutions like they are the black plague. And, instead opt to set small (realistic) goals for yourself? Do tell me those too… I’m nosy. 😉
I have quite a few goals for myself this year:
OUR LATEST VIDEOSLive in the moment more.
Take more time for myself. This includes taking one day off on the weekend from partaking in blog related shenanigans.
Do a little soul baking at least once a month.
Accept when things are out of my control and stress less.
Forgive more often, this includes myself.
Be more consistent and less sporadic with my workouts… but, I need to stop injuring myself first. #Clumsy
One thing that is not on my list is to eat healthier.
Probably something a lot of you don’t know about me, especially if you predicted my diet based on some of my blog posts (like This. This. or This.), is I regularly eat healthy. And I’m one of those (weird?) ones who enjoys healthier food.
For example, my favorite snacks are steamed broccoli, raw baby carrots, frozen grapes and 94% fat free popcorn. My fridge is always filled with at least 2 seasonal vegetables… and one head of cauliflower. And, I occasionally eat salad for breakfast. Don’t judge. 😉
The salad I am sharing today – Roasted Cauliflower, Fennel and Chickpea Salad with Arugula, Pear & Maple-Cashew Cream Dressing – is one of my regular go-to’s in the colder months. And yes, I have devoured it first thing in the morning… on multiple occasions. It is just that dang delish.
This salad has a perfect contrast and balance of temperatures. It contains both warmly roasted and cool, crisp ingredients. There is also melody of textures and flavors up in here. Savory caramelized cauliflower, crunchy chickpeas, aromatic fennel, peppery arugula, sweet fruity pear and a sprinkling of zesty lemon.
But, all that jazz becomes a million times tastier with the maple-cashew cream dressing. The dressing is sweet, creamy, silky, smooth and pairs perfectly with veggie-tastic salad. It is also a breeze to whip together. Simply soak some unsalted, unroasted cashews in water, drain and transfer to your food processor with a bit of maple syrup, almond milk and sea salt. Viola. A dressing I promise you will be dipping everything into, including your fingers.
Overall, this salad is light and healthy, yet substantial, hearty and filling. This is the salad that makes your boring, plain greens you pack for lunch look pathetically sad. No offense. 😉
Clean eating doesn’t have to be boring. So if your New Year, New You involves eating healthier, without sacrificing flavor, I urge you to try this roasted cauliflower salad. Who knows, after one bite you might be inclined to eat it for breakfast. (wink wink)
Until Monday, Cheers – to a fabulous weekend!
-xoxo-
Cheyanne
This salad is anything but boring. Filled with roasted cauliflower, aromatic fennel, crispy chickpeas, peppery arugula, fruity pears and finished with a sweet, creamy maple-cashew dressing, this will get you out of your salad rut!
- 1 large Head Cauliflower – cut into florets
- 1 small Fennel Bulb – medium dice
- 1 (16 oz.) can Chickpeas – drained, rinsed & patted very dry
- 2 TBS Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
- ¼ tsp Cracked Black Pepper
- 5 ounces Arugula – washed, or more to taste
- 1 Bosc Pear – sliced
- 1 tsp Lemon Zest
- Fresh Parsley Leaves , for garnish (optional)
- Maple Cashew Cream Dressing:
- 1 Cup Raw Cashews – soaked*
- 2 TBS Pure Maple Syrup
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
- ¼ Cup Almond Milk
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with aluminum foil for easy clean up. Arrange oven racks to top and bottom 1/3 positions.
- In a large bowl toss the cauliflower and chickpeas with oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Spread out evenly among both baking sheets (be sure to use both so you don’t over crowd the pan).
- Roast in the oven, rotating pans and tossing mixture halfway through cooking, for 25-35 minutes or until cauliflower is golden and chickpeas are crispy. Add the leeks to the pan during last 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the dressing: Place the drained cashews, 2 TBS of the soaking liquid and remaining dressing ingredients into the bowl of a food processor or blender. Process or blend until smooth and creamy. Add more soaking liquid, 1 TBS at a time until desired consistency is achieved.*
- To Serve: Arrange the arugula on serving plates, top with roasted vegetables, crispy chickpeas and sliced pears. Drizzle with maple cashew dressing and garnish with lemon zest and fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!
*Raw cashews = unsalted and not roasted
*To soak cashews: Place cashews in a small bowl and add enough water to cover. Soak for 5-8 hours. Drain, reserving liquid.
*I used 3 TBS cashew liquid in the dressing
*Serves: 2 as Entrée, 4 as Appetizer
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This salad is gorgeous and inspirational and so are YOU! I’m jumping back on the Whole 30 for the first few weeks of January – that’s my healthy resolution! Happy healthy everything to you, my friend!! xo
Thank you so much Kate! I was contemplating doing the Whole 30, but cutting so many things out of my diet just isn’t for me. BUT, I know a bunch of people who LOVED it and had a lot of success! I hope you are one of those! Happy healthy and prosperous everything to YOU, my dear! xo
I made a few resolutions that are more like goals, too.I definitely want to cook more and eat healthier… The idea of this dressing is absolutely awesome!!
Thank you so much, Sues! Best of luck with all your goals in 2016! Cheers!
Cheyanne this is a killer salad! Your photos are making me wish I had that salad on a plate right smack in front of me!! I LOVE everything you’ve put together! And that maple cashew dressing….YUM. My goal is also to eat a little healthier and take more time for the gym. It seems like my first year of blogging took over a good part of my life, so this second year I’m trying to find more of a balance! Have a great weekend! XO
Well thank you so much, Mary Ann! The maple cashew dressing totally makes the salad! Blogging CAN take over your life, I’m trying to make more time for myself this year too! Fingers crossed for both of us! Cheers, my dear! xo
I’m loving this! The roasted cauliflower and chickpeas look so full of flavor. I do need to break out of my salad rut…it’s usually just the traditional lettuce! Time to get adventurous!
Thank you so much Kathy! Plain lettuce needs to go! 😉 I use to be guilty of eating boring salads too. Best of luck with your salad adventures, my dear! Cheers!
I’m not one to make resolutions because I always end up failing at that…goals are what I do instead! 🙂 This salad is absolutely stunning, Cheyanne! What a perfect dish for the new year. I love the chickpeas and roasted cauliflower. The best combo ever, especially with that cashew dressing! Pinned, of course!
LOVE that you do goals too, Gayle! Just the world goal vs. resolution makes me feel better about my self. 😉 Thank you so much for the salad love and the pin! Cheers, girlfriend!
we really are cut from the same cloth Cheyanne getting our roasted veg on this week. i hear ya on mixing it up for breakfast. i’m not above heating up leftovers from the previous night’s dinner when a bowl of cereal just won’t cut it. this salad looks ridic and i want to jump head first into that dressing. this goes into the winter salad rotation for sure!
Yay to being cut from the same cloth, Cathy! #GreatMinds! Glad I’m not alone in the whole mixing it up for breakfast thang! Thank you so much for the salad love! Cheers, my dear!
Soul baking at least once a month, yes!!!! I agree, I love this idea! and I love this salad!!! ok, I’ve got to try this Maple Cashew Cream Dressing!!!! oh my gawd! and love the roasted cauliflower in this salad!!!! yes! beautiful and delicious!
I KNEW you would understand and love the idea of soul baking once a month, Alice! Thank you so much for the sweet comment! Cheers to a fabulous weekend for you and the family! <3
This is one beautiful salad!! And healthy to boot! I made New Year resolutions and promptly broke them 20 mins in. That’s just what I do so no apologies here. My favorite snacks are potato chips, dark chocolate, and more potato chips. Can you do a healthy potato chip and dark chocolate salad recipe? I would really appreciate it, Bestie. While I’m waiting, I’ll make this salad and eat it all up 🙂
Hahahaha! I LOVE that you broke your resolution 20 minutes in! Shoot, you have a move to pack for, there is no time for silly resolutions, especially if they are diet related! 😉 Your snacks sound like Boy’s snacks. I’m not sure dark chocolate would be good in a salad, but crushed potato chips on a salad are pretty dang delish! Thanks for the comment love, #bestie! Cheers! xo
Whoa, girlfriend! This is one fantastic salad! I could totally eat this for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everywhere in between so no judgments! I would actually be happy with the roasted cauliflower to dip in that dressing! I’m not much for resolutions, but I do tend to try to eat healthier than usual after all of the holiday indulgences. You can never have too many salad recipes and this one is moving to the top of my list! Cheers, friend!
Thanks for not judging, Rachelle! I KNEW you of all people wouldn’t judge… you are just too cool like that. 😉 I totally dipped the cauliflower into the dressing multiple times – so good! Thanks for the comment love, doll! Cheers! xo
Looks like something I should be eating! not only delish but healthy as well!! Yay! Happy New Year!! hugs!
Happy New Year to you too, Gaila! Thanks for the comment, girlie! Cheers and hugs!
I love your goals for this year. Simple but so life-giving and totally attainable. And OH MY SWEET GOODNESS! This Maple Cashew Cream Dressing is making me drool MAJOR. I cannot imagine a better dressing for this beautiful salad (or any salad for that matter). Can I have an unlimited supply in my fridge? Cheers to this salad and to making more time for ourselves!
Yay! So glad my goals have your approval, although I’m sure yours are so much better! You are always so inspirational, Lauren! I’m so glad we “met” this past year! I really cherish our friendship and your perspective on life! Thank you for the salad and dressing love! I highly recommend having an unlimited supply of the dressing in your fridge! 😉 Cheers lovely! xo
I love your goals!! I’m all about those small, attainable goals… not a fan of crazy resolutions!! I want to focus on my blog and learn all I can about creating a brand (my dream is to become a health coach!!) Also, can I just say that this recipe is amazing?? There’s just something so comforting about seasoned cauliflower! Looks lovely… all your recipes do!! Thanks for sharing! Hope that your year is going great so far!
The blog/brand thing is on my list too, Cailee! Fingers crossed both of us figure it out! 🙂 LOVE that your dream is to be a health coach! That is amazing, and I KNOW you will be awesome at it! Thank you so much for the sweet comment, my dear! Cheers to you and a wonderful weekend! <3
I think my ongoing goal is to just be a little kinder to myself, but that’s a work in progress. Like you, I enjoy being healthy year-round, so that’s not really a resolution. I wouldn’t mind upping my soul baking, though!
This looks phenomenal. You can have this salad for breakfast after you’ve wiped out during a workout. Or not. Either way, it’s a win!
Being kinder to myself is definitely an ongoing goal of mine too… i’m horrible at that. And accepting compliments. 😉 I knew you were an over all healthy girl, hello barre studio in your house! So cool! Thanks so much for the salad love, doll! Cheers to a fabulous weekend!
I love your goals for this year, those are some of the things I”m working on more myself too. And yay to healthy eating, I’m a weirdo too haha 🙂 This beautiful salad is totally my kind of meal! I’m loving the roasted cauliflowers and chickpeas!
Yay to being healthy weirdos together, Kelly!!! Thanks so much for the comment love, my dear! Cheers to you and the family – to a fantastic weekend! <3
I, too, avoid resolutions like they are the black plague – preferring little goals or the like as I go along. One such goal is to try cooking stuff I haven’t before – like fennel! I’ve never ever cooked with it and this year I gotta break that! Cheyanne, I also believe that healthy clean eating can be quite far from boring – I mean look at this salad – the color, the textures in every forkful, and the tastes – ooh don’t even get me started on the mingling of roasted veggies, greens and that maple cashew cream – fantasmogorical!
xoxo
You haven’t cooked with fennel, Shashi? Oh you must, when it is roasted it has a mild flavor… like pretty much all vegetables roasted – delish! Thank you so much for the sweet comment, my dear! You are always so wonderful! Cheers, sweets!
I love your New Years, non-resolution, ideas! Small steps are so much easier! I don’t really have a resolution either, mostly because I can’t stick with one idea!
I agree, small steps are WAY easier! Glad I’m not the only person who thinks that way! Cheers, Shelby!
And here I thought I was the only one who constantly injured themselves when exercising. I would love to find a routine that my body doesn’t rebel against. 🙂
This salad looks so great! I can’t stand sad salads. I could eat that roasted cauliflower right now. And I would definitely be a person who dunks her fingers in that dressing. Yum!
Hahaha! Nope, apparently we are BOTH clumsy! 😉 I like boxing and kickboxing, especially with weighted gloves… great workout, not sure if your body would rebel, but try it! Thank you so much for the non-sad salad love, doll! And YES to dunking fingers in dressing! Cheers!
Wow – I just love this salad, Cheyanne – this is my kind of lunch. Very intrigued by the dressing – I haven’t really experimented with cashews yet – I know I’m late to the game :). And I’m with you on goals versus resolutions – if we all make small changes everyday it will add up to big results! My big new year goal is to practice yoga on a more regular schedule to really reap the benefits and increase my flexibility.
Thank you so much, Geraldine! The dressing totally makes this salad and cashew cream is SO good! You must try experimenting with it! I hope you meet your yoga goals this year, my dear friend! Cheers to you!
I’m so with you on goals vs. resolutions – in fact, I mentioned just that in my post today! Great minds! Anywho – this salad has me drooling! I’m also one that loves healthy foods and while I love indulgent foods, most of my favorites are healthy too. I would absolutely eat this for breakfast, so no judgement here! That dressing looks so creamy and wonderful – can’t wait to try! Pinned!
Great minds! I knew you loved healthy foods, Keri, so I’m thrilled you like this salad AND you would eat it for breakfast! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and the pin, doll! Cheers! 🙂
That dressing looks superb! Loving the roasted cauli, too!
Thank you so much, Medha! Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! 🙂
No resolutions, just goals — and mine sound a lot like yours! I was trying to be less sporadic about working out and then got injured…as you say #clumsy. 🙁 I love roasted cauliflower and chickpeas, and adding them to a salad with pears sounds so good! And that dressing! Divine….and pinned. 🙂
Oh no, sorry to hear you are a clumsy one like me! I feel your pain, Marcie!! Thanks so much for the comment and pin, my dear! Cheers! 🙂
I’m totally with you on the healthy eating. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a sucker for fried food, but overall eating well comes easily. So no, healthy eating is not part of my new year’s resolution either. But getting back on a blogging schedule is – wish me luck 😛
So this dish… it’s exactly the kind of food Iove! Healthy without sacrificing an ounce of flavor! And kudos on that cashew dressing! That sounds phenomenal!
I’m a sucker for fried food too occasionally. Hello fried calamari is my weakness! 😉 Totally wishing you luck on the regular blogging schedule! I’m having a tough time getting back into the swing of things too! It’s just so cold and SO much easier to stay tucked under the covers. Thank you so much for the comment love doll! Cheers! <3
This looks seriously delicious! I have been on a roasted cauliflower kick lately and I have been meaning to try roasted chickpeas – heard they are amazing. Put it altogether and you get one fine salad! Gorgeous!
Yesss to roasted cauliflower kicks! You will LOVE roasted chickpeas, Jess! But warning, they are crazy addicting! Thanks so much for the comment! Cheers, girlfriend!
I LOVE this salad. It’s exactly how I want to eat every single day (hence why we’re are BIG salad twins today!). I didn’t make any resolutions this year. I kind of stopped doing that a few years ago because I just felt bad about myself (= real talk). So I’m happy to just not bother with them anymore! 🙂
Yay to salad twinning, Liz! Your salad looked FAB! Resolutions are over rated if you ask me! Cheers to a wonderful weekend, without the hassle of crazy resolutions breathing down your neck! 😉
I always make resolutions but I almost never stick to them 🙂 This salad is just perfect for me! Love it! Can’t wait to taste the dressing, great flavors!
LOL, exactly why I can’t make resolutions… I always break them and then feel bad about myself! Thank you so much for the comment, Mira! Cheers, doll!
Salad for breakfast? I’ll eat breakfast for dinner…and I guess I’ve been guilty of eating pizza for breakfast, but never salad! I love it! Well, unless fruit salad counts… Okay – I’ll reel it in. I love your goals, and like you, I’m not a big resolution person – though I hope to stay curious, read more, find the funny in as much as possible, and appreciate the days… I certainly appreciate the new friend that I have found in you! Okay, salad…so the first thing that jumped out at me were the crispy chickpeas! But maple cashew dressing? OH MY! Love it, my friend! xoxo
Lol, I’ll eat all the things you named for breakfast (or dinner) too, Annie! 🙂 And I say fruit salad totally counts as salad for breakfast. 😉 I love your goals for 2016, I need to add all of those to my list! I definitely appreciate YOU and the friendship we have developed – I feel blessed to have “met” you, my dear! Thank you so much for the sweet comment! Cheers to you and a wonderful weekend, sweets! xoxo
I don’t know what are you talking about, but in my book, most of your recipes are rather healthy. Thus, you eat quite healthily. Or you just don’t show us everything which sounds plausible:) This salad is the perfection! You know, it’s kind of difficult to surprise me with a salad, but you managed it. Obviously, the cashew dressing is the winner here. I’ve hot to try it! Well done. And Happy First Friday of the Year!:)
Well I’m glad you missed the plethora of unhealthy recipes, Ben and you have been thinking I am a “quite healthy” individual! 🙂 I know you love salads, so I’m thrilled you like this one! Thanks for the comment, buddy! Cheers and happy weekend!
What a beautiful salad, and such a great combination of ingredients! Absolutely love all the flavours (I need my salads to have lots of flavours!)
Thank you so much, Jennifer! I agree, salads MUST have lots of flavors! Cheers, my dear! 🙂
That dressing sounds incredible! I can’t wait to try it. And resolutions? Forget about it! I would be setting myself up for failure…
The dressing definitely makes this salad, Jen! I’m glad i’m not the only one who just doesn’t do resolutions! Cheers, my dear!
This has to be one of the more interesting salads I have seen. The flavors sound incredible. Love the roasted cauliflower!
Thank you so much, Christin! Interesting is what I was going for! I love roasted cauliflower too, obviously. Cheers my friend and Happy weekend!
I’m more like you with New Years Resolutions – my biggest one is to just BE happier. To make the decision to be, and put myself in a good mindset everyday when I wake up. 2016 has been a happy year thus far! And it will be better as soon as I make this salad – it looks AMAZING. I totally get why you eat it for every meal 🙂 and your photos are so stunning!!
This is soooo my kind of salad! I LOVE me some roasted cauliflower!
And yup, taking more time to myself and forgiving more – both definitely on my goals list for this year!
I absolutely love roasted cauliflower. It’s perfect in this salad, especially with that yummy cashew dressing!! Happy New Year! 🙂
My goals are small and realistic. Be healthy, make money bloggend and move to the city 🙂 This salad looks so good and will definitely be added to goal #1 🙂
This salad looks so healthy and filling – delicious! I love healthy greens, but unfortunately not for snack or breakfast 🙂 You inspired me to re-think my snack choices!
Love, love love this salad Cheyanne! And that cashew maple dressing just sounds amazeballs (sorry, I should not have said amazeballs). I wish I was like you and turned to veggies when I feel snacky, but I tend to turn to chocolate and/or carbs, ha! But I am with you on setting realistic goals instead of resolutions, and also I am trying to be more focused on the action than the result. Like if I want to lose X pounds, I need to be focused on the everyday actions that lead to that result (like working out x days a week, tracking calories or whatever). If I meet those goals, then i try to be happy ,even if I don’t get the exact result I wanted. This salad is a winner no matter what goals we set though! Pinning!
I can’t do NYE resolutions mainly because I get too disappointed at the end of the year if I haven’t completed them/ if I forgot them. So instead I try to make one goal that takes longer to achieve so I’ll remember! Love this salad, I tried roasted cauliflower from a Sprouted Kitchen recipe and loved it so much I’ve been trying to think of new ways!
Well, this is a salad that feeds the body, soul, and conscience! Although I haven’t had salads for breakfast, it sounds like a good idea, especially one that is like this. It is so jammed packed nutrition and deliciousness! It’s so much better for you than a bowl of cereal, or pancakes, or breakfast bars don’t you think? I didn’t set any kind of goals for this year, but I love yours which are a healthy approach to living. I need to the same. And I need major help on the exercise category…it was pretty nonexistent in 2015.
Hi Cheyanne! I love your new year’s resolutions. I think we could all benefit from paying attention to those. I especially like ‘stress less over things I can’t control’ – big note to self on that one.
Adore the amazing salad, too. There are some really unusual flavours there, incuding that gorgeous cashew dressing. Mmmmm – great way to start the year!
Now this is my kind of salad! full of delicious veggies and extremely flavorful! Cant wait to try it!
Gorgeous salad, Cheyanne! You always have a great spin and so now I’m craving cashew dressing. Yum. So hoping the year is off to a good start for you. So far so good here. I loved hearing about your resolutions and they sound a lot like my plans for the year. Which include no resolutions for me, my friend. I’ve given myself permission to NOT do some things this year, just do less in general. I’m needing a little grace in 2016. That’s the scoop around here. Enjoy your weekend and I look forward to what you have up your sleeve for NSN in the coming week. XOXO
That dressing sounds amazing!! Love roasted cauliflower too!
Woahhhhhh, this whole salad sounds absolutely delicious! And that dressing? Delicious!
this salad sounds absolutely delicious! i love the maple cashew dressing! 🙂
I’m setting smaller goals every month. Honestly, the last year has been a challenging one, so the most important thing I’ve learnt and believe is, life is too short so enjoy and live it to the fullest. Don’t sweat the small stuff is my motto for the years to come. Need to practice that.
Loving your goals my friend. Love the salad, I tell ya, salads do not have to be boring and you’ve shown us that. Love every component of the salad, so lovely and the dressing is simply genius.
I apologize for visiting a bit late and to comment.
Hugs my friend.
xx
There is so much deliciousness going on in here it IS a meal on to itself. Love this and that awesome cashew dressing – superb! I agree with you that clean eating doesn’t have to be boring – at all. 🙂
This salad looks incredible, Cheyanne! I absolutely love the dressing idea too – fantastic! I’m with you on avoiding resolutions. And one of those resolutions I avoid is dieting. I’m a really healthy eater too, which I think people would never know from my blog, but the reality is I only eat a very small portion of whatever I make. Most of my meals include salad, and I can’t wait to include this one in the mix – YUMMY!!! XOXO
Love this salad, thanks foe sharing
Your goals are some I should work on too, but top of my list is trying this great dish 😉 it has everything I love so I know it will be a dinner hit!