Friday, January 12, 2007

Lexy's Lunch Salad



mess o' spring greens (I like the herb salad mixes)
2 mushrooms, sliced
handful of snowpeas, ends removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
2 mini sweet peppers, sliced into strips
1/2 c chickpeas mashed with a fork

dressing
1 clove garlic pressed, squeezed, or smashed
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
2-3 T balsamic vinegar
1-2 tsp virgin olive oil

I arrange the veggies on the plate, top with the mashed chickpeas, shake the dressing in an empty jar and drizzle.

I love the way that the smashed chickpeas soak up the dressing and don't roll off the fork. If you use a regular salad mix, you can add some chopped parsley and/or basil. I love the way that fresh herbs brighten the flavor of every bite so much more than dried herbs in a premixed dressing. The dijon mustard makes the dressing creamy and a good balsamic vinegar is so sweet you may not even need oil.