Maui Wowie Salad

I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the different textures and flavors in this salad: from the salty crunchiness of the chow mein noodles to the tart crispness of the bell peppers to the sweet silkiness of the mangoes,  this amazing combination of fresh, colorful ingredients will ignite a party in your mouth! This salad always makes me feel like I'm on vacation in the tropics. The yummy tropical fruits and macadamia nuts lend this dish a decidedly island-influenced flair (hence the name), and each time you think you've tasted everything it has to offer, you'll uncover a fabulous new flavor combination! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

What you'll need for the salad:

• 10 cups mixed baby greens
• 1/2 a fresh pineapple, cubed
• 2 ripe mangos, cut into small chunks
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into 1-inch strips
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced into 1-inch strips
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup shredded carrot
• 1/2 bunch chopped green onions
• 1/3 cup salted macadamia nuts, chopped
• 1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
• 1 cup egg-free crunchy chow mein noodles
• Guava Vinaigrette (below)

What you'll need for the Vinaigrette:

• 1/2 cup guava nectar
• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
• 1 tsp. coconut sugar

What to do:

First, toast the sesame seeds. Spray a frying pan with cooking spray and add 1/3 cup plus 1 tsp sesame seeds. Spray the seeds with cooking spray and cook slowly over medium heat, stirring frequently, until seeds turn brown and become very fragrant. Remove from heat immediately, and set aside.

Divide greens evenly between two bowls for entree-sized salads or four bowls for side salads. Working your way down the list, divide each ingredient evenly between each of the bowls.

 (Here is the salad with ingredients up through the shredded carrot added)

After you have layered every single ingredient on, down to the sesame seeds and crunchy noodles, make the vinaigrette.

Simply combine all ingredients in a dressing bottle or tupperware and shake thoroughly to combine. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and serve immediately. Enjoy!