Salad in Color

I had this urge to make something colorful and healthy so I made a run to the store and apparently it got robbed while I was in there but the people and workers remained calm and I was just shopping away with idea. until I walked out of the store and saw all the police.

This is a very simple dish with lots of color.

3-4 small cucumbers

 

7 chopped radishes

 

almost a whole package of chopped salad tomatoes

 

3 chopped green onions

 

1 -15 ounce can garbanzo beans

 

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic

 

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

 

Romaine lettuce

 

Homemade buttermilk dressing or prepared dressing of your choice

 

Wash the garbanzo beans until they do not continue to foam. toast the pine nuts in a skillet or in the oven . Chop the ingredients to your preference and mix together.

 

Dressing

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/8 teaspoon paprika

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

1/4 teaspoon of dry dill (or a teaspoon chopped fresh)

 

In a medium bowl, stir together the buttermilk and mayonnaise until fully mixed. Add in the other ingredients.

Keeps for a week when  covered in the fridge.

 

*You can use low fat mayo  and lower fat milk or substitute the milk for Greek Yogurt

 

place the romaine lettuce on a plate and top with vegetable mixture and dressing

 

 all the chopped vegetables with so much color

 I topped off the Romaine Lettuce with the vegetables and drizzled it with the Buttermilk Ranch Dressing and added homemade croutons

 

If you haven't made homemade croutons before it is definitely something that you should try because they are worth the small amount of effort. I used my homemade milk free bread for the croutons. Slice them in small squares whatever size is your preference. Next spray oil lightly or you can drizzle them with olive oil or butter. I usually use flavored olive oils that you buy in the grocery store. Place them in the oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes  turn them a little and then add some parmesan cheese or the 5 blend Italian cheese (if you wish) and cook for another 15 minutes.

Other ways to season the croutons

Italian Herbs

Fresh Garlic

Cajun Seasoning 

 

 

 

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