Shaymin Salad | Pokémon

"[Shaymin] lives in flower patches and avoids detection by curling up to look like a flowering plant."

"The flowers all over its body burst into bloom if it is lovingly hugged and senses gratitude."

"[Shaymin] can dissolve toxins in the air to instantly transform ruined land into a lush field of flowers."

"The blooming of Gracidea flowers confers the power of flight upon it. Feelings of gratitude are the message it delivers."

–– Various Pokédex Entries

          Did you know this month is Fandom Foodies #PokeNoms hosted by Cupcakedex? Originally hosted in 2016 by The Gluttonous Geek (as #PokéNOM), this #PokeNoms recipe link-up on Cupcakedex is version 2.0 to celebrate the Detective Pikachu film! Make sure to check out the link-up for more yummy Pokémon-inspired recipes, and a few giveaways! Use the #PokeNoms hashtag to share your own creations, or cool Pokémon food items you encounter.

          This salad recipe is inspired by the mythical generation IV grass-type Pokémon Shaymin in it's land forme. Shaymin's design is so appealing and is just perfect for a salad! I'm really pleased with the simplicity and almost elegance of how this turned out. :) Shaymin is also known as the Gratitude Pokémon because the flowers on its body (represented here with strawberry!) are like the Gracidea flowers in the Poké-verse which people give as gifts to show gratitude. So, you could share this salad with someone you feel grateful for, or simply make it as a nice meal for yourself so show some self-love. :) <3

Shaymin Salad with Homemade Dressing

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Ingredients:
Dressing
½ Cup Mayonnaise
1-2 Tbsp. Granulated Sugar, to taste
1-2 Tbsp. Milk, to desired consistency
1½-2 tsp. Vinegar (White, Apple Cider, Rice are all fine)
Twist of Cracked Pepper, to taste
Pinch of Salt
Salad
Shredded White Cabbage
Light Green Leafy Salad Greens, torn
2 Medium Baby Spinach Leaves
Fresh Corn Kernels
3 Fresh Strawberries of equal size
6 Black Sesame Seeds
Optional Toppings
Crazins or Raisins
Bacon Bits
Chopped Walnuts or Pecans

Directions:
Dressing: In a small bowl whisk together all of the dressing ingredients, adjusting to taste. Pour into a serving dish with a pour spout or spoon. *Optional: Add 1-2 tbsp. of poppyseeds if you'd like.

Salad: In a small-medium salad bowl, place shredded cabbage on one half & torn leafy greens on the other. Place the two spinach leaves side-by-side just off the center to be the leaves for the Gracidea flower. Place a few corn kernels on the leafy greens to be seeds.

Cut the strawberries lengthwise to get 6 equal slices (use 2 equal center slices from each of the 3 strawberries), & then cut the bottom sides of each slice into equal ‘V’s–so that they look a bit like diamonds–to be the Gracidea petals. Assemble the petals on the center of the salad in a flower/star shape. Use a toothpick to position 1 black sesame seed near the center of each strawberry petal.

Serve the salad with the dressing on the side, along with optional toppings such as bacon bits, chopped walnuts or pecans, & dried cranberries or raisins.

* For more of my Pokémon-inspired food, click here! *