Crunchy Mediterranean Salad

Broccoli, cucumber, tomato, chickpeas, olives, kale, fresh herbs, and a refreshing sherry vinaigrette are the main components of this super healthy and delicious salad. While it’s hearty enough for a main course, it also makes a great side salad.

Crunchy Mediterranean Salad [Vegan]

Ingredients

To Prepare the Salad:

• 1 cup cooked chickpeas (1 - 15 oz can)
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 20 grape tomatoes, sliced into rounds or in half
• 1 cup broccoli florets*
• 1/2 cup small dice red onion
• 1 bunch kale, cleaned and torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• sea salt, to taste
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 to 3 cups romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tablespoon sweetener, such as agave (optional)

Assembling the Salad:

• 2 to 4 tablespoon fresh herbs (such as basil and parsley)

Preparation

To Make the Dressing:

1. Mince the garlic and place into a small bowl or jar. Add the sherry vinegar followed by the olive oil.
2. This dressing is meant to be rather tart; however, the amount of vinegar and oil can be adjusted to your liking.
3. Next, whisk or shake the jar to combine the ingredients.
4. Then taste for seasoning adding sweetener, salt, and pepper to taste.

To Prepare the Salad:

1. For the broccoli, cut the crown into quite small florets. Basically, all the vegetables should be roughly the same size so you get a nice mouthful of everything together.
2. To assemble the salad, add the kale to a large bowl and add a couple of tablespoons of vinaigrette and gently toss and scrunch the kale with your hands.
3. Next, add the romaine, broccoli, cucumber, red onions, and another tablespoon or so of the vinaigrette. Gently toss to combine the ingredients.
4. Next, add the tomatoes, olives, and fresh herbs. If using fresh basil, which is really nice, simply tear the leaves into big pieces and add to the salad.
5. For the parsley, just roughly chop and add it to the salad.Lastly, taste for seasoning, adding a bit of salt and/or pepper as needed.
6. This delicious salad makes a great meal, or it can be served as a refreshing and healthy side

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/crunchy-mediterranean-salad-vegan/