The Spicy Spatula

To me, salad are magic. How else can you eat as much food as your belly can hold, pack your body with nutrients and do it all with very few calories? If there’s another way, I don’t know it and I’m not sure that I want to. But, seriously, if you know another way, I’m all ears because I’m in love with food and I need to know.

Anyway, I was waxing poetic about salad. Going vegan really opened my eyes to what a salad could be and I am happy to report that I never frown at a big bowl of colorful veggies anymore. Well, unless someone else made it and they consider salad best when drenched in oil.

One of my favorite salads had always been Caesar salad. It’s creamy and tangy and really, quite simple. But until recently, I haven’t been bold enough or brave enough to veganize it.

Welcome to today, folks and the chickpea Caesar salad.

This is a simple vegan salad but it will definitely satisfy your appetite and impress your palette.

Let’s start with the list of ingredients. It seems daunting, but I promise it’s not. The dressing requires a few ingredients but that’s mostly measuring and mixing.

CHICKPEA CAESAR SALAD INGREDIENTS:
Chickpeas (rinsed & drained)
Cucumber
Scallions
Romaine lettuce
Capers
Green bell pepper
Veggiegurt
Lemon juice (and a little bit of zest too)
Tomato
Garlic
Apple cider vinegar
Dijon mustard
Vegan parmesan (Use nutritional yeast if you can’t find it)

Season the dried chickpeas with garlic, cumin, smoky paprika, turmeric, salt and black pepper. Toss well and pop in the oven for about 20 minutes until crispy but not crunchy.

Rinse & spin the salad because, let’s be honest, who likes wet lettuce? Anyone…???

Chop the rest of the veggies and add to a large salad bowl.

Now it’s time for the vegan Caesar salad dressing.

Mix the salad dressing: veggiegurt, garlic, dijon mustard, salt, pepper, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of vegan parmesan cheese. Mix well and set aside until you’re ready to toss the whole salad and plate it.

And that’s it, a quick and easy and super healthy vegan lunch.

Top with another tablespoon or 2 of vegan parm and voila…done-zo!

And the best part? If you feel snack-ish later, you’ve got plenty of calories left over for a light & healthy vegan snack.

What’s your go to salad when you’re on a health kick or just feel like a big hearty vegan salad?