This fresh and textured salad serves 3–4 people and brings together sweet apples, crunchy almonds, and a tangy-smooth dressing. It’s a delightful companion to fish, chicken, or duck, but it also stands beautifully on its own if you’re cutting back on rice, pasta, or potatoes.

Beyond the taste, this bowl offers a quiet symphony of health benefits: fiber for digestion, good fats for your skin and brain, antioxidants for cellular protection, and just the right balance to leave you feeling nourished, not heavy.

Cabbage salad with apples and toasted seeds

You’ll need:

• 1 small pointed cabbage (or ⅔ of a large one)

• 2 crisp apples

• 100 g almonds

• ½ dl sesame seeds

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp syrup (apple or gooseberry brings a lovely lightness)

• 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to prepare:

1. Chop & toast:
   Finely slice the cabbage and cube the apples. Toast the almonds in a dry pan until fragrant, then roughly chop them. Briefly toast the sesame seeds. Watch closely, as they toast quickly and tend to jump around!

2. Make the dressing:
   In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, syrup, and apple cider vinegar. Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Assemble the salad:
   In a large serving bowl, combine the cabbage, apples, chopped almonds, and sesame seeds. Pour the dressing over and gently toss until everything is well coated.

Why it’s good for you:

• Pointed cabbage is rich in vitamin C and K, excellent for immune health and bone strength. Its fiber supports digestion and helps reduce inflammation.

• Apples offer natural sweetness, along with pectin, a soluble fiber that aids in gut health and supports balanced blood sugar.

• Almonds bring vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats, which help reduce bad cholesterol and keep your skin glowing.

• Sesame seeds are small but mighty, packed with calcium, iron, and healthy fats.

• Olive oil and apple cider vinegar together create a heart-healthy dressing that also supports metabolism and satiety.

This salad is a celebration of freshness with a Nordic twist. Simple, beautiful, and full of subtle power. Let it accompany your meals or stand alone as a nourishing midday pause.