The addition of the sweet potato and toasted pine nuts makes this simple salad an exceptional side dish or a hearty lunch. Because the natural flavors blend so well, there’s little need for exotic seasonings. A basket of whole grain bread makes the ideal accompaniment. Contributed by Zel Allen, reprinted from The Nut Gourmet. ^[1]

Serves: 2 to 3

• 1 sweet potato, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1 sweet red apple, diced
• 1 ripe pear, diced
• 1 celery stalk, shopped
• 1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
• 2 to 3 tablespoons vegan mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

Steam the sweet potato for 7 to 8 minutes, until soft. Remove from the steamer and cool. Cut into bite-size pieces and put in a medium bowl.

Add the apple, pear, celery, pine nuts, and mayonnaise, and toss well to distribute the mayonnaise evenly. Garnish with the chives and serve.

Zel and Reuben Allen host the popular, long-running webzine Vegetarians in Paradise. ^[2] 

Explore more of VegKitchen’s:

• Super Savory Salads. ^[3]
  
• sweet potato recipes. ^[4]