meals is nothing more than a great big salad. Packed with veggies and with some beans tossed in for protein, there’s little more I need in a meal. One hardly needs a recipe for salad; indeed, putting together a big salad with whatever’s on hand can be an efficient method of making sure none of the produce you’ve purchased goes to waste! When having salad for a full meal, I like to incorporate some complex carbs. Beans are a great source, of course, but there’s nothing quite like the crunch of a crouton. The trouble with most store-bought croutons, though, is that they’re rarely made with 100% whole grain and can contain a lot of unnecessary added ingredients. So I decided to make my own, using only 100% whole grain bread, olive oil, salt and pepper. Salad dressing is another grocery item that’s often loaded with processed ingredients, yet incredibly simple to make at home. This version uses a bit of chickpea flour (or hummus) to keep the mixture emulsified. Whole Grain Croutons (serves 2) Ingredients:
2 slices 100% whole grain bread1 tbsp. olive oilSalt and ground pepper to taste
What to do:
Preheat oven or toaster oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.Dice the bread into 2 cm square pieces.Measure the olive oil into a bowl. Add bread cubes and toss to coat.Season with salt and pepper.Toast for 10-15 minutes, tossing occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Let cool before serving.
Chickpea Dressing (serves 2) Ingredients:
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oilJuice of 1 lemonPinch saltGround black pepper2 tbsp. chickpea flour or 2 tbsp. hummus
What to do:
Combine oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper in a small bowlAdd chickpea flour or hummus and whisk to combine.
