Simple meals that can be thrown together without fuss or preparation are a lifesaver for families on the go.

While I love a minimalist soup or stir-fry, the ultimate simple dish is, of course, the salad.

This beautiful salad combines some of my favorite ingredients (spinach, beets, goat cheese, and walnuts) with a creamy and tangy homemade dressing.

Spinach is my go-to green because of its mild flavor. Obviously a perfect base for salads, spinach is also a great addition to smoothies, omelets, pastas, and soups.

Beets are a relatively new favorite of mine, however. Until recently, beets, with their earthiness and vibrant purple hue, were foreign to me. While I’ve yet to roast my own fresh beets at home, I have grown to love the sweetness and burst of color they add to often one-dimensional dishes.

Rich in the phytochemical, glycine betaine, beets are thought to promote cardiovascular health. Raw beets are excellent sources of folate and potassium, as well as B-complex vitamins such as niacin. Beets are also a good source of the minerals iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

Both highly nutritious and delicious, this simple salad makes a perfect weekday meal.

Simple Spinach and Beet Salad With Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Tahini-Balsamic Dressing

(serves 2)

The Salad

• 4 cups baby spinach
• ¾ can of beets*
• ½ cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
• 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled

The Dressing

• 2 Tbsp tahini
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (plain or flavored; I used pomegranate-infused)
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• salt and pepper, to taste
• water

Directions

1. Divide the salad ingredients between 2 plates.
2. Combine the tahini, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and small amount of water into a small jar and shake vigorously. Add more water until desired consistency is achieved (or if the dressing is too pungent). Drizzle over the salads and enjoy!

*Feel free to use fresh beets; I imagine roasted beets would take this salad to the next level.