Trees, Seeds, and Beans
Ingredients:
- 2 ½ cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 cups ice water, or as needed
- ½ (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup matchstick-cut carrots
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds, or to taste
Directions:
-
Bring a large pot of water to a boil; cook broccoli until bright green, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl of ice water; drain.
- Combine broccoli, garbanzo beans, carrots, raisins, and 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds in a bowl. Whisk mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Stir dressing into broccoli mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour for flavors to blend. Garnish with about 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds.
Nutty Garden Harvest Salad
Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, kale)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- ½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup cooked kidney beans
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, cooked quinoa, toasted pumpkin seeds, and cooked kidney beans. Toss gently to mix.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: Drizzle the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Serve: Divide the Nutty Garden Harvest Salad into individual bowls or plates.
Optional Additions:
- Feel free to add chopped avocados, shredded carrots, or diced bell peppers for extra color and flavor.
- Crumbled feta or goat cheese can be a delightful addition for some tanginess.
Note: This Nutty Garden Harvest Salad celebrates the essence of trees (greens), seeds (pumpkin seeds), and beans (kidney beans and quinoa) in a refreshing and nutritious ensemble. Enjoy this wholesome salad as a standalone meal or as a delightful side dish to complement your main course.
