5 Great Superfoods

1. Strawberries

It’s not only the taste that’s fantastic – just by eating five strawberries you can get your recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which is not only needed to protect against colds and cancer but also for promoting clear skin. Strawberries are similarly rich in the lesser-known vitamin K, which is needed for healthy bones and blood clotting. Their intense colour is due to an ingredient called anthocyanin, which protects the skin from antioxidant damage, thus helping the body to fi ght chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Anthocyanins help curb infl ammation in conditions like eczema, asthma and arthritis, while ellagic acid helps protect the brain from age-related decline.

Artichoke and strawberry salad

• Large handful of baby spinach, washed
• Large handful of rocket leaves, washed
• 4 artichoke hearts, cut into pieces
• 12 walnuts
• 8 strawberries, sliced

For the dressing

• 8 medium-large ripe strawberries
• 1 tbsp walnut oil
• Juice of ½ orange
• Freshly ground black pepper

To make the dressing, whizz all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Just before serving, combine the spinach and rocket leaves in a salad bowl. Add the artichoke hearts, walnuts and sliced strawberries, pour over the strawberry dressing and toss lightly.