Warning: this is going to be a photo-heavy post.
There’s something about spring that makes me want to photograph every living plant in sight. Does anyone else feel this compulsion?? Spring produce is just so beautiful and vibrant that it almost demands to be captured on film. And not just the produce, the trees and the wild plants and the underbrush, too. I went on a hike last weekend, and had a blast photographing the little brooks and streams in the forest.
But I’ll have a lot more opportunities to take photos of nature this year because we’re really revving up for Hiking/Camping Season 2016. I went camping and hiking a bunch when I was younger, but as a teenager wouldn’t dream of having to share a tent with my parents (totally uncool). Lol. But hiking and pond-swimming have always been my jam (I know all the best spots around here), and now I’m really excited that I get to share this with my similarly-outdoorsy friends. Especially the pond-swimming part…. I can’t wait!!
Today’s recipe is all about hiking, or gardening, or dandelions – whatever makes you feel grateful for spring. This salad is super fresh and peppery, and honestly tastes like spring on a plate (or bowl). The recipe itself is very free-form… just take as much as you like of each ingredient and toss it with as much of the mustardy spring onion dressing as you like.

Spring Gratitude Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 Bunches Watercress
- 3-4 Red Radishes
- Handful of Sprouts
- Roasted Sunflower Seeds as much as you like
Mustard Vinaigrette
- 6-8 Spring Onions using the white + light green parts
- Juice from 1 Lemon
- 1/4 Cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 2 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 Tbs Water
- 1 Tbs Dijon Mustard
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Pepper
Instructions
Mustard Vinaigrette
- To make the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients into the blender, and blend on high until smooth and creamy.
Salad
- Prep the radishes by slicing thinly on a mandolin or by hand (but be careful!).
- To make the salad, assemble your plates/bowls with a layer of watercress, then another layer with the radishes, sprouts, and sunflower seeds.
- Drizzle everything with the as much vinaigrette as you like, and serve.
- Enjoy!
Song of the Day:
I Play The Road – Zac Brown Band
P.S.
If you make this recipe and post it on Instagram, be sure to tag me @wellandfull and #wellandfull so I can see! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :)
27 Comments
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
April 20, 2016 at 10:23 amBeautiful! I love watercress and need to go see if I can find some this week at the grocery!
Sarah
April 20, 2016 at 2:18 pmIt’s such a great plant!! :D
Ashlae
April 20, 2016 at 12:29 pmLove this “photo heavy post”, lady! Three cheers for hiking and camping and allllll the spring veggies. I see that mustard vinaigrette in my not-so-distant future. ;) XO
Sarah
April 20, 2016 at 2:19 pmAwww thanks Ashlae ;) Sending hugs! <3
Maya | Spice + Sprout
April 20, 2016 at 12:32 pmI am so stoked for camping and pond swimming season as well! It takes a little while to get out of the city for me plus some hours of driving, but it is so so worth it :) This salad looks fresh and delicious, exactly what I think of when the weather starts to change!
Sarah
April 20, 2016 at 2:20 pmCamping and outdoor-swimming season is the best!! And thanks girl!! <3
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit
April 20, 2016 at 12:40 pmBring on all the beautiful spring produce close ups, I could stare at these gorgeous photos all day <3 I am loving the light freshness of this salad, and mustard dressings are always my favorite!
Sarah
April 20, 2016 at 2:22 pmAww thanks Natalie!! :D You’re so right, mustardy dressings are the best! :)
Amy | The Whole Food Rainbow
April 21, 2016 at 7:02 amHey Sarah! Beautiful photos, just lush. I’m DYING to go swimming outside, literally craving it but there’s nowhere round here. I cn’t think of anything ore relaxing and wonderful. Still I do get to dip my feet in some beautiful ‘mountain’ streams which is my favourite. I nearly did yesterday but just as I was about to, socks off and everything, I realised I’d sat on an ant nest, and the ants were four times bigger than usual too, some new variety or knew to me, which was a freak-out moment! xx
Sarah
April 21, 2016 at 8:57 amMountain streams are the best!! But not when you’re sitting on an ant pile, yikes!! I’m glad you got out from there alright! :D
Beverley @ Born to Sweat
April 21, 2016 at 11:42 amwow, that watercress looks incredible! my boyfriend bought some the other day and… it definitely did not look like this hahah. this salad looks so fresh!
Sarah
April 21, 2016 at 2:55 pmIt was hydroponic watercress that I found at Whole Foods :) Thanks girl!!
Megan
April 21, 2016 at 1:48 pmI am also very much looking forward to the rivers warming up to a swimmable temperature – I jumped in the Colorado this week and it took my breath away (any not exactly in the good way! ;) )
Lovely photos – definitely captures some great spring vibes!
Sarah
April 21, 2016 at 2:55 pmAhhh I’m so jealous!! I would love to be jumping in the Colorado river right about now ;)
Maya
April 21, 2016 at 2:24 pmGorgeous salad Sarah! So refreshing and elegant. I am also looking forward to the camping season. One of my favorite things to do ever. <3
Sarah
April 21, 2016 at 2:56 pmThank you Maya!! And I know, camping season is the best! :D
Lisa Favre
April 22, 2016 at 6:38 amI’m sure the radishes and watercress add that extra crunch. Looks absolutely delicious!
Lisa Favre
http://marblecrumbs.com
Sarah
April 22, 2016 at 9:59 amThanks Lisa!! :D
Jess | Urban Alchemy
April 22, 2016 at 8:17 amDefinitely not too photo heavy :) gorgeous pics!
Sarah
April 22, 2016 at 9:59 amHaha thank you Jess!! ;) :D
Lucie
April 23, 2016 at 2:16 amWow – this looks absolutely beautiful. Bring on Spring!
Sarah
April 23, 2016 at 10:18 amThanks Lucie!! :D
danielle // rooting the sun
April 23, 2016 at 9:44 amsarah, this salad embodies spring in such a beautiful way! watercress is one of my favorite greens and you capture it with such a loving eye. i am so excited for the camping season, getting lost in deep woods and high country is where it makes sense for me. happy spring sweets. xo
Sarah
April 23, 2016 at 10:20 amWe’re two kindred spirits :) I feel most at peace in the deep forest too.
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April 24, 2016 at 1:00 pm[…] Spring Gratitude Salad by Well and Full […]
Laura
April 27, 2016 at 8:49 amYesssss, I’m so with you on the photo thing . . . the light is better, the colours are brighter, the produce looks fresher, everything just sings “please take my picture.” I just can’t help it when that’s what’s happening:)
Sarah
April 27, 2016 at 9:10 amMe neither!! :D