This wonderful recipe from Cooking Light magazine really highlights the beauty of omega-3 fatty acids.  Found in both salmon and walnuts, these fatty acids are helpful in lowering bad cholesterol levels as well as raising your good cholesterol levels which in turn, helps prevent heart disease.  They are also have essential anti-inflammatory properties, and research also suggests that they help in preventing certain types of dymentia and even Alzheimer’s disease.  Other foods that contain these essential fatty acids are avocados and flax seeds.  Each of these healthful ingredients are items I love incorporating into our weekly dinner menus, as well as daily snacks and other meals.

This lovely salad recipe starts with a nice vinaigrette made with walnuts, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, white balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  I added in some snipped chives for a touch of color as well.  This vinaigrette not only goes on the spinach salad, but also on the pan-seared salmon filets.  The salad also has more walnut pieces and sliced, ripe pears for a hint of sweet goodness.  Such a lovely salad that really highlights flavor and healthfulness!

(To view this recipe, click on the following link: http://www.cookinglight.com/recipes/pan-seared-salmon-pear-walnut-spinach-salad)

Tagged: Cooking Light, garlic, lemon juice, omega-3, pan-seared salmon, Parmesan cheese, pears, salmon, salmon filets, salmon salad, spinach salad, walnut and pear salad, walnuts, white balsamic vinegar