Mexican bean salad

From: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/mexican-bean-salad/

(This salad is pretty huge and tastes better the day after you make it)

Ingredients

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels

1 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 clove crushed garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon chili powder 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice, sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce and chili powder.
3. Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well. Chill thoroughly, and serve cold.

Detox salad

From: http://ohsheglows.com/2011/09/27/detox-salad/

Yield: 10 cups (lots for the whole week!!)
Ingredients:

• 2 heads broccoli (1 bunch), stems removed
• 1 head cauliflower, stems removed
• 2.5 cups shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1 cup currants
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 4-6 tbsp fresh lemon juice, to taste
• kosher salt, pepper to taste (1/4-1/2 tsp salt and lots of pepper)
• kelp granules or Herbamare (optional), to taste
• Pure maple syrup, to drizzle on before serving

1. In a food processor (or chop by hand) process the broccoli (no stems) until fine. Add into large bowl.
2. Now process the cauliflower (no stems) until fine and add into bowl. Do the same with the carrots.
3. Stir in the sunflower seeds, currants, raisins, and parsley. Add lemon juice and seasonings to taste.
4. Drizzle with maple syrup to taste.
Note: I saved the stems for a stir-fry later on in the week.

Creamy avocado potato salad

From: http://www.theppk.com/2011/05/creamy-avocado-potato-salad/

2 lbs fingerling potatoes, cut into 3/4 inch chunks
2 avocados
2 tablespoons lime juice, from a lime or two
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
1 plum tomato, chopped
1 small red onion, diced small
1 smallish cucumber, diced very small
Scallions for garnish (optional)


Put potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Cover pot, bring water to a boil. Lower the heat to a rolling boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain and set aside to cool.
Once potatoes have cooled, prepare the dressing. Split the avocado in half, remove the seed and scoop the yumminess into the food processor. Add the lime juice and salt and puree until smooth, scraping down the sides with a spatula as needed. Once smooth and creamy, add the tomato and onion. Pulse until they are incorporated but not completely blended. You should still be able to see the tomato and onion.
Put the potatoes and cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and mix them up. Add the dressing and mix well. Taste for salt and spice. Wrap tightly and chill until ready to use. Top with scallions, if you like.

Avocado wasabi salad (also awesome w/o wasabi)

From: http://veganyumyum.com/2010/01/avocado-wasabi-salad/

(Seriously delicious without the grossness of wasabi powder)

Serves 4-6
 
Greens of your choice for 4-6 people
1 Carrot, shredded
2 tsp Vegetable Oil, divided
1/2 to 3/4 Cup Broccoli, chopped small
1/3 Cup Toasted Slivered Almonds
1 Recipe Wasabi Chickpeas, below
1 Recipe Avocado Wasabi dressing, below
Fresh Cracked Black Pepper

Wasabi-Tamari Chickpeas
1 tsp Oil
1 Cup Chickpeas
1 tsp Wasabi Powder
1/2 tsp Sugar
1 Tbs Low Sodium Tamari/Soy Sauce

Avocado Wasabi Dressing
1 Ripe Avocado, diced
2 tsp White Wine Vinegar
3 Tbs Hummus, plain or garlic
1 tsp Stoneground Mustard
1/2 tsp Salt
2 tsp Wasabi Powder
1/4 to 1/3 Cup Vegetable oil

Begin by whisking the dressing ingredients together, except for the oil. Whisk until smooth. If your avocado isn’t super ripe, you may wish to blend the dressing in a food processor. Slowly add oil until emulsified and the dressing is smooth, refrigerate until ready to use.

Toast your almonds in a dry pan over medium heat if they are not already toasted. Set aside.
In the same pan, add 1 tsp of oil and add broccoli. Sautee over high heat until the broccoli is beginning to color in spots and is bright green, but still tender-crisp. Sprinkle lightly with salt and set aside.

Add the second teaspoon of oil to the same pan and add the chickpeas. Reduce heat to medium-high. Cook the chickpeas until they are golden on all sides, using a spatula to loosen them as necessary, but don’t worry if they stick a little. Add the wasabi powder, sugar, and tamari and stir well. Remove from pan and set aside.
In a large bowl, add your salad greens. Add the broccoli, 3/4 of the chickpeas, 3/4 of the almonds, and 3/4 of the carrots. Toss with enough dressing to coat. Plate the salad, and garnish the top with the remaining chickpeas, almonds and carrots. Crack fresh black pepper over the top. Serve immediately.

If you are serving the salad later, do not add the dressing until the last minute.

Massaged kale salad

From: http://theveganproject.ca/massaged-kale-salad-protein-rich-superfood/

Serves about 2 side salads

Ingredients: 

1 bunch of kale (approximately 8-10 leaves)
3 tbsp of olive oil
A good sprinkle of Himalayan rock salt (I used about 2 tsp, which may sound high but it’s super rich in electrolytes. Reduce if you’re concerned about sodium.)
1 whole avocado
2 tbsp hemp hearts

Method:

Cut and wash your kale, drying well, and place in a large salad bowl. Evenly pour your olive oil on top, making sure to distribute evenly for maximum coverage. Toss in your rock salt. Take all your rings off and roll up your sleeves, it’s time to get involved.
Using your hands, massage the kale for 2-3 minutes. Squeeze it, rub it, and squish the olive oil right into the leaves. It will reduce in size, turn bright green, and soften tremendously.
Dish onto two plates (perfect for a side dish), scoop half an avocado on each plate, and sprinkle the hemp hearts on top.

Two-tone potato salad with walnut-tarragon vinaigrette

From: http://mydigimag.rrd.com/display_article.php?id=1110651
(Vegetarian Times, Sept 2012)

Serves 4ish as a main meal. 6 side dishes?

 Ingredients:

WALNUT-TARRAGON VINAIGRETTE
2 Tbs. cider vinegar
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
4 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. walnut oil
1 tsp. dried tarragon
½ tsp. salt, optional
¼ cup finely chopped shallot or red onion

TWO-TONE POTATO SALAD
 3 medium boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2 -inch dice
1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2 -inch dice
2 cups arugula
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup finely diced celery
½ cup toasted walnut pieces


Preparation:


1 | To make Walnut-Tarragon Vinaigrette: Whisk together vinegar and mustard in small bowl. Whisk in olive oil and walnut oil. Whisk in tarragon and salt (if using). Stir in shallot. Set aside to allow flavors to develop.

2 | To make Two-Tone Potato Salad: Place boiling potatoes in pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and transfer to large bowl.

3 | Place sweet potato in separate pot with enough salted water to cover by 1 inch, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and transfer to bowl with boiling potatoes.

4 | Toss both types of hot potatoes with half of Walnut-Tarragon Vinaigrette in large bowl. Cool salad completely. Stir in arugula, tomatoes, celery, walnuts, and remaining vinaigrette just before serving.

PER 1-CUP SERVING 293 cal; 4 g prot; 19 g total fat (2 g sat fat); 28 g carb; 0 mg chol; 191 mg sod; 4 g fiber; 5 g sugars