Easy Starter and Healthy
Kickstart your meal with this vibrant "Easy Starter and Healthy" salad—an effortless yet nutritious recipe perfect for busy days. Packed with crisp mixed salad greens, juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and sweet red bell peppers, this colorful dish is as visually pleasing as it is delicious. Protein-rich chickpeas elevate the salad, while a tangy homemade lemon-Dijon dressing ties everything together with a hint of sweetness from honey or maple syrup. Garnish with sliced almonds or sunflower seeds for an optional crunch and added flavor. Ready in just 10 minutes with no cooking required, this light and refreshing salad is ideal as a starter or a wholesome side dish. Perfect for health-conscious foodies seeking quick, flavorful, and nutritious options!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or kale)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced into thin half-moons
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas (drained and rinsed if canned)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds or sunflower seeds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
Wash and dry the mixed salad greens. Place them in a large serving bowl.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and red bell pepper to the bowl.
Gently mix in the cooked chickpeas to evenly distribute the ingredients.
In a small bowl or jar, combine the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk or shake until the dressing is emulsified.
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
Sprinkle sliced almonds or sunflower seeds over the top for extra texture and flavor (optional).
Serve immediately as a starter or light side dish. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
196 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 10.3 g | 13% | |
| Saturated Fat | 1.1 g | 6% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 324 mg | 14% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 22.5 g | 8% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 8.3 g | ||
| Protein | 6.4 g | 13% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 86 mg | 7% | |
| Iron | 2.5 mg | 14% | |
| Potassium | 604 mg | 13% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
