Celebrate National Strawberry Month

May marks National Strawberry Month! Strawberries are not only delicious and refreshing, but are also an excellent source of key nutrients and vitamins.

Just one cup of sliced fresh strawberries meets your average daily requirement for vitamin C. Furthermore, strawberries contain ellagic acid, a phytochemical that works as an antioxidant to potentially help deactivate carcinogens and slow the reproduction of cancer cells. Strawberries are also a good source of dietary fiber and potassium.

Did you know?

  • Strawberries are one of the AICR’s Foods That Fight Cancer!
  • They are the only fruit that wears their seeds on the outside.
  • Native Americans ate strawberries long before European settlers arrived.
  • Strawberries are members of the rose family.
  • California produces some 80% of the strawberries in the U.S.

In celebration of National Strawberry Month, incorporate these versatile berries into a healthy recipe!

Chicken and Strawberry Salad
(via MyRecipes)



INGREDIENTS

DRESSING:
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon water
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

SALAD:
4 cups torn romaine lettuce
4 cups arugula
2 cups quartered strawberries
1/3 cup vertically sliced red onion
12 ounces skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast, sliced
2 tablespoons unsalted cashews, halved
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled blue cheese

PREPARATION

1. To prepare dressing, combine first 5 ingredients in a small bowl. Gradually drizzle in oil, stirring constantly with a whisk.
2. To prepare salad, combine romaine and next 4 ingredients (through chicken) in a bowl; toss gently. Place about 2 cups chicken mixture on each of 4 plates. Top each serving with 1 1/2 teaspoons cashews and 2 tablespoons cheese. Drizzle about 4 teaspoons dressing over each serving.

Enjoy!