Fresh salad season is upon us!
I don't know about you, but my body craves fresh salads at this time of year. Salads are so refreshing and light on your digestion. I have noticed with the heat of summer my body wants cooling, crisp, fresh veggies; there are hundreds of ways to enjoy a bowl of salad.
Here’s a salad that is easy to put together in under 20 min. This includes the salad dressing too!
The salad dressing you choose can make or break the nutritional value of your salad. Store bought salad dressings are very scary...seriously! They contain rancid oils, food dyes, toxic sugar, stabilizers, preservatives...need I say more?
I watch many people prepare beautiful homemade salads and then pour store bought salad dressing on them, I cringe! It's so simple to make your own and homemade is so much more nutritious! It’s a win-win!
It's been over 20 years since I have purchased prepared salad dressing. I can easily go a lifetime.
Here is my Basic Salad Dressing recipe:
1 cup olive or avocado oil- 1⁄4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 tsp basil or oregano or both fresh or dried
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1⁄4 tsp organic onion powder
- 1⁄4 tsp organic garlic powder
Directions:
Add all ingredients into a glass container that has a tight fitting lid.
Shake well before using!
This will store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
This dressing can be made in minutes and used immediately. It’s better to allow time for the flavours to marinate. That means it's always better the next day :)
I used this dressing last night for supper on this mixed bean salad. So refreshing, Yum!
Here’s the recipe:
- 30 oz black beans (that's 2 cans drained and rinsed)
- 15 oz chickpeas (that's 1 can drained and rinsed)
- 1⁄2 red onion (chopped)
- 20 cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds optional
- avocado a few slices
- 1⁄4 tsp ground cumin
- 1⁄4 tsp Chili Powder
- 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley chopped or cilantro
- Crumbled feta cheese optional
In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, black beans, red onion, cherry tomatoes, hemp seeds, spices and fresh parsley/cilantro.
Add salad dressing and toss to coat.
Top with avocado and crumbled feta cheese. Enjoy!
Tara Tellier is the owner of Roots of Nutrition. In search of a better way to improve her own health, Tara studied and became a Registered Holistic Nutritionist (R.H.N.). She enjoys developing healthy choice recipes for herself and her clients.
Roots of Nutrition | www.rootsofnutrition.com
