This warm salad is a blast of good fats. Hemp hearts offer great nutritional benefits, and are yummy coupled here with also the good fats of pecans and avocado. This dish really satisfies and is good for you too.

I toasted the pecans in a tablespoon of melted butter, but to make this dish vegan, you could toast them in a warm oven, or keep them raw.

I slice my Brussels sprouts in a food processor with the slicing attachment, after trimming off the ends. You could also do it on a mandoline, or carefully with a knife. They are also available pre-sliced, shaved, or shredded in the grocery, but if you go this route, be sure to use them soon after you buy them.

My husband and I happily split this. And yes, I made this up, so it is very satisfying too when my husband practically licked the plate.

This recipe uses only part of the dressing, so you can enjoy it also on other things and make this warm salad again with much less effort.

Hemp Heart Ranch Dressing Recipe

1 1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup hemp seeds (also called hemp hearts)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
4 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

In a blender or food processor combine the first six ingredients with 1/4 cup water, and blend until smooth. Add the herbs and lightly mix them in.

Warm Brussels Sprout Salad Recipe

1 lb Brussels sprouts (sliced or shredded, see note above)
1 Tablespoon avocado oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 cup pecans, chopped
1 tablespoon butter (optional)
1/4 dried tart (unsweetened) cherries, chopped
1 ripe avocado, diced
some of the Hemp Heart Ranch (above)

Make the dressing and slice the Brussels sprouts.

Heat a large pan with the avocado oil on medium high heat. Add the shaved Brussles sprouts and salt. Saute for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile toast the pecans, either in melted butter, or in the oven until slightly browned.

Toss the warm Brussels sprouts, diced avocado, dried cherries, and toasted pecans with some of the Hemp Heart dressing, and serve immediately.

Enjoy!