For Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, we dip apples in honey to ensure a sweet New Year.  Might as well make it a healthy New Year too with the Garden of Eydie! Adding scrumptious spices ( which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory! ), to recipes is a fun, creative way to get a two for one:  healthy and tasty! 

Enter the middle eastern, Baharat spice blend containing more than 7+ spices. Added to Buckwheat grains and salad with apples and honey, will certainly start your new year off deliciously!

For the Baharat Blend, or Homemade, Salt free :

• 1 TB freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. ground Vietnamese Cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• ¼ tsp. ground cardamom

For the Dressing: Makes ½ cup

• 3 TB Pomegranate juice
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 TB apple cider vinegar
• 1-½ tsp. minced garlic, from about 2 large cloves 
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the Salad:

• ½ cup organic Buckwheat, uncooked
• 1-½ tsp. Baharat spice, divided
• 6 cups Spring mix or Baby Arugula greens
• ½ English cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, and sliced very thin, about 1 cup
• 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced into 1” sticks
• 1 Navel orange, peeled and “supreme” ( slice between the membranes of the orange and release the segments of orange ) then dice into ½” pieces.
• ½ avocado, peeled and diced
• ½ cup pomegranate seeds
• 1/3 cup pistachios, lightly toasted

For the Baharat Spice :

1. Blend by just adding all the ingredients together and stirring to combine.

For the Dressing :

1. Add all the ingredients to a small blender and process until smooth. 

For the Salad :

1. Make the Buckwheat:  place a 2 quart pot over medium high heat for a minute or until hot.  Pour in the buckwheat and 1 tsp. Baharat.  Stir to toast the grain and spices for 2 minutes.  Add ¾ cup water, and simmer for 7 minutes.  Place the grain in a bowl and mix in the remaining ½ tsp. Baharat.  
2. In a large bowl, add the greens, then the cooled Buckwheat, cucumbers, apple sticks, avocado and diced orange.  Top with pistachios and pomegranates.
3. When ready to serve, pour the dressing over the salad and mix together.

This really will make your New Years Celebration so sweet!