KALE SALAD WITH CRISPY CHICKPEAS

This salad checks off all the nutrition boxes: it’s full of iron, calcium, vitamins, plant protein and it’s even fitting for a weeknight meal. Swap out any of the veggies with ones you have on hand, and swap the chickpeas out for another bean or omit completely and use another protein of choice. Use this as a side or enjoy it as a quick and nutritious meal on its own. 

Serves 4-6 

Recipe: 

400 g of kale, or 1 bag or 1 bunch of kale (can sub with mixed greens) 

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

2-3 small bell peppers or 1-2 large, sliced

1 bunch asparagus, cut in half 

1 large cooked beet, diced (can buy vacuum-packed pre-cooked beets; can omit if you don’t have)

1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (sub for another seed or omit)

1 lemon 

Extra virgin olive oil for dressing

Tahini Dressing: 

• 4 TBSP runny tahini

• 2 TBSP mustard

• Juice from 1/2 a lemon

• 1-2 tsp maple syrup

• salt and pepper

• water to thin out

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. 

1. Add your sliced bell peppers, asparagus, and the chickpeas on the same tray. You may want to add your chickpeas to a separate tray if it feels too overcrowded.

2. Coat the veggies and chickpeas with a bit of oil, salt and pepper or spices of your choice. (Paprika, cayenne, cumin, or turmeric would be good choices). Add into the oven and bake for about 15-20 min. 

3. Meanwhile, put the kale in a large bowl and add the juice of 1/2 a lemon (save the other half for the dressing), a drizzle of olive oil, and some salt and pepper. With your hands, massage the kale for a couple of minutes until it softens and it reduced in size

4. When veggies are done add everything to the bowl and mix. Add the sliced beets, and top with pumpkin seeds, or other nuts/seeds of choice, if desired.

5. To make the dressing, add all ingredients to a small bowl and mix, starting with a small amount of water and adding more as needed to thin it out to a consistency you like. 

Optional Add-ins: 

• sub asparagus for broccoli or add broccoli to the mix 

• add any other veggies you have 

• can use spinach or a mix of greens of your choice

• add avocado