radish

Spring Salad with Watermelon Radishes

I love when watermelon radishes are in season! I add them to all my salads because I love the way their bright pink coloring contrasts with the greens in a salad, but they also add a powerful nutritional punch and delicious (and peppery) crunch! Watermelon radishes are larger than your typical radish you’ll find in the grocery store, and their exterior is creamy white or pale green in color. When you slice them, you’ll be wow’d by their beautiful color and design!

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Ingredients: (Serves 2)

sliced watermelon radish

sliced watermelon radish

  • 2 handfuls of arugula

  • 1 avocado, diced

  • 1 watermelon radish, thinly sliced

  • ½ fennel bulb, thinly sliced


For the dressing:

  • ½ shallot, finely diced

  • 4 tbsp olive oil

  • Juice from ½ a lemon

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  • In a salad bowl, add arugula, avocado, radish, and fennel

  • In a separate bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Toss well and serve.

Optional:

  • Add chickpeas, quinoa, or sliced chicken for a more substantial lunch salad.

  • Add pistachios for added crunch and nuttiness

Roasted Spiced Chicken with Radishes

This is honestly such a quick and easy dinner to whip up. Roasting radishes tames the peppery flavor and brings out a subtle sweetness. These paired with spiced chicken and a side salad is, in my opinion, a perfect dinner. The prep only takes 5 minutes and you’ll only have to get one baking dish dirty. If you have the time, try roasting a whole chicken with radishes and potatoes, along with some rosemary and thyme. All the juices from the chicken will bring about an even more robust flavor.

Shown here with some sprinkled rosemary on top. Served with parsnip and potatoes mash and grilled asparagus. A side salad with radishes and avocado is in the background.

Shown here with some sprinkled rosemary on top. Served with parsnip and potatoes mash and grilled asparagus. A side salad with radishes and avocado is in the background.

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

  • 2 chicken breasts, bone-in and skin-on

  • 1 bunch of radishes, trimmed and halved

  • ½ tsp ground cumin

  • ½ tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp paprika

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • 3 tbsp avocado oil

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees

  • In a small bowl, mix together cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper

  • Rub spice mixture all over chicken

  • Add chicken to baking dish and scatter radishes all around

  • Drizzle avocado oil all over radishes and chicken. Sprinkle radishes with salt and pepper

  • Roast for 40 minutes of until internal temperature of chicken is 165 degrees F and juices run clear.

  • Allow chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving

Health Benefits of Radishes:

  • Radishes are well known for their ability to help protect our liver, as they cleanse the blood of toxins and waste

  • They are an excellent source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant

  • They are rich in fiber, which aids in digestion and keeps you feeling full

  • They are a good source of anthocyanins (a flavonoid), which can improve heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease

  • Radishes and other cruciferous veggies (like kale, broccoli, and cabbage) have anticancer properties

Sources:

https://draxe.com/radish-nutrition/

https://www.curejoy.com/content/health-benefits-of-radish/

https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/13-benefits-radish/

https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/radish.html



Optional: Sear the chicken in a cast iron skillet and finish in the oven for a crispier skin