Buckwheat, Apple, Cranberry Avocado Salad

A healthy, hearty, lemon-ey salad from the cookbook Blissful Basil. Vegan and gluten free.

Buckwheat, Apple, Cranberry Avocado Salad in bowls with forks

Oh hi – long time no post. Last week, I was a bit sick and down for the count, to say the least. This week, I’m on a healing bender. I have my blender working overtime with crazy green smoothies made with ginger, turmeric and every herb that I’ve read about that contains immune-building qualities. I’m trying to eat lighter and brighter as well because I really do believe that plants can heal.

Which brings me to this recipe from Blissful Basil, a cookbook that couldn’t have arrived at a better time. If you don’t follow Ashley’s blog of the same name, you must! She has the most gorgeous recipes that you can feel great about eating.

In her book, she shares her story about dealing with anxiety as well as other health issues, and how she came to learn that a plant-based diet was just the thing that made her health thrive. The book is filled with 100 creative veggie recipes like Sloppy Shiitakes (her veggie take on a sloppy Joe), Triple Noodle Power Pad Thai, Vegan Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars, to name a few. (I’ve bookmarked practically the whole book).

Buckwheat, Apple, Cranberry Avocado Salad

But today’s recipe is this simple, delightful, hearty, lemon-y salad that I just love. Despite its name, buckwheat is actually a gluten-free grain. I had never cooked with buckwheat groats and I have to tell you that I’m obsessed. They take only about 10 minutes to make and they’re similar in texture to farro or wheatberries. The hearty, chewy bite is just so wonderful in this salad. This recipe makes for either a great packable lunch or a delicious dinner, if you just add whatever protein you like served on the side.

How pretty is her book cover? Vegan pizza here I come:

The Blissful Basil Cookbook

I also have my eye on these Pulled Hearts of Palm Tamales with Chipotle Cream and Pinapple Pico de Gallo:

The Blissful Basil Cookbook

A Giveaway: Ashley is so kindly offering a copy of the book to give away – leave a comment to enter! A winner will be chosen at random on Friday. (U.S. and Canadian addresses only)

Or click here to get your copy right now!

5.0 from 3 reviews

Buckwheat, Apple, Cranberry Avocado Salad

 
This recipe is from the Blissful Basilcookbook and is reprinted with permission from the publisher.
Author:
Serves: serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Buckwheat Salad
  • 1 cup raw buckwheat groats
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, cut into matchsticks
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • ⅓ to ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup raw pepitas
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
Simple Lemon Vinaigrette
  • 3 to 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Add the buckwheat groats to a fine-mesh strainer and thoroughly rinse with cold water. Un a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed buckwheat and water. Bring to a boil, decrease the heat, and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Stain and rinse with cold water until the water runs clear.
  2. Transfer the cooked buckwheat to a large nonreactive serving bowl along with the apple, greens, cranberries, and pepitas.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, vigorously whisk together 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, garlic, sea salt, and black pepper to taste.
  4. To assemble: Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss to coat. If desired, add the remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice to the salad to brighten the flavors, and liberally season with salt and pepper.
  5. Divide among plates and top with the sliced avocado.

 

139 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it):  

  1. Bree
    01.18.2017

    Can’t wait to try the recipe!! Would love a new cookbook to add to my collection 🙂

  2. Lacey
    01.18.2017

    This salad looks so tasty! I have I only cooked buckwheat a couple times before, but this recipe is good inspiration to do it again.

  3. Mar
    01.18.2017

    good morning! Thank you for the recipe and your incredibly helpful blog. I’m a new mom with a 4 month old, and turning to a plant based diet in the postpartum period for a number of health reasons including PPD. I would love a copy of this book to help get me rolling 🙂 Thank you so much!

  4. nikki
    01.17.2017

    Oh my goodness that salad looks amazing! I really need to update my cookbooks to be more health conscious.

  5. Kristen
    01.17.2017

    Thank you for sharing this cookbook and delicious looking recipe.
    -your book arrived to my door last week and I couldn’t have been more thrilled to open it!!

  6. Andrea
    01.17.2017

    Never tried buckwheat and would love to try this recipe. Very inspiring cookbook!

  7. Jeanne
    01.17.2017

    I just found this blog and am excited to try some beautiful new recipes…the cookbook looks great!

  8. Sasha Dimov
    01.17.2017

    Your blog is so inspiring! I would love to get a copy of the book to give plant-based eating (in college) a new outlook. Thank you!!!

  9. Rachel Sisk
    01.17.2017

    This looks light and refreshing! Buckwheat is so versatile. I can’t wait to whip up that lemon vinaigrette, too. I would be thrilled to get a copy of this cookbook!

  10. Hope
    01.17.2017

    I’ve been very intrigued by this cookbook! I would love to win it!

  11. Sarah W.
    01.17.2017

    I love Love and Lemons blog and cookbook and I love Blissful Basil blog and would love to have the cookbook.

  12. Laura
    01.17.2017

    I just discovered you and love what you’re sharing. This is a beautiful blog! I’m inspired by both of you and would love this cookbook.

  13. Jennifer
    01.17.2017

    Both of your blogs are beautiful – truly inspirations! Would love a copy of her cookbook!

  14. lin
    01.17.2017

    Your love & lemons cookbook never leaves my car because I keep it on hand for my daily trip to the market.Never had a let down yet when choosing a recipe,when my daughter’s come home from college for a visit its always a Love & Lemons recipe for our meal .And I am excited to check out some recipe’s from Blissful Basil.Just today I was advised after weeks of cardiologist visits that I have severe anxiety and need to take steps to relieve stress.So since cooking makes me feel good and I love feeding my family good food Im looking forward to cooking to make myself better too.Thanks for your great blog:)

  15. Sarah
    01.17.2017

    I would love a copy of the cookbook!!! 🙂

  16. Pam
    01.17.2017

    Many thanks to Ashley for the book.
    Hope you’re feeling better Jeanine.

  17. Jenn
    01.17.2017

    This salad looks amazing! It will definitely be on my “to make” list for next week. Thanks for the opportunity to win such a beautiful cookbook!

  18. kayla from uvretouch.com
    01.17.2017

    Beautiful and delicious! Need to add to my collection

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.