Strawberry Honey Sweetgrass Vinaigrette Salad
Sweetgrass is an aromatic herb and is also a sacred medicine symbolizing healing and peace. It’s a grass with long soft leaves that grows from 1-3 feet tall. The grass is often gathered and dried, then the leaves are braided together for smudging. The 3 sections of the braid represent mind, body and spirit to some Indigenous peoples and in other traditions the 3 sections also symbolize love, kindness and honesty. Smudging invites good spirits and positive energy. Sweetgrass grows across North America and Northern Europe, below the Arctic Circle.
“Sweetgrass is such a powerful medicine. The inspiration for this recipe is to highlight the beauty of the sweet grass. I want to share the positive energy from the sweetgrass through food.”
- Chef Stephanie
Meet The Chef
Steph Baryluk
Chef Steph Baryluk, a proud Teetl’it Gwich’in from Teetl’it Zheh (Fort McPherson), Treaty 11 Territory, draws deep inspiration from her Arctic upbringing, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped her connection to food and cultural heritage.
With more than 10 years of experience as a Red Seal Indigenous Chef, Steph is passionate about preserving and sharing Indigenous culinary traditions through education, culinary training, and community engagement.
Named one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024 and a recipient of the WXN Food Industry Award, Chef Steph is a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems. From community kitchens to the global stage, she combines her culinary expertise with advocacy to inspire future generations while promoting sustainability and celebrating Indigenous cultural heritage.
EXPLORE MORE ROOTED DISHES
