Vibrant Kitchen Garden Salad for Two
Discover the joy of fresh, colorful ingredients with this Vibrant Kitchen Garden Salad, inspired by those enchanting dinner salads from local eateries. This delightful dish is a feast for the eyes and a wholesome addition to your meal. With its generous portions of crunchy veggies and protein-packed beans, this salad bursts with flavor and nutrition. It features a refreshing medley of romaine lettuce, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, crisp carrots, and plump cherry tomatoes, all enhanced by your choice of dressing—our favorite being a homemade honey mustard that perfectly complements the ingredients. Consider adding some sliced black olives for an extra layer of taste! Perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner for two.
2
Servings
225
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Romaine lettuce
1 head (washed, dried and chopped)
Dark red kidney beans
1/2 cup (drained and rinsed)
Garbanzo beans
1/2 cup (drained and rinsed)
Carrot
1/2 cup (cut into small matchsticks)
Corn
1/2 cup (cooked and drained)
Cucumber
1/2 small (cut into slices)
Cherry tomatoes
4-6 small (halved)
Red onion
1/4 cup (cut into rings)
Instructions
1
Start by thoroughly washing and drying the romaine lettuce, then chop it into bite-sized pieces.
2
Arrange the chopped lettuce evenly on two large salad plates as the base.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the dark red kidney beans, garbanzo beans, carrot matchsticks, corn kernels, cucumber slices, and halved cherry tomatoes.
4
Spoon the mixture on top of the romaine lettuce, creating small mounds that showcase the vibrant colors.
5
Finish by placing the red onion rings atop the salad for an added touch of flavor.
6
Serve with your chosen dressing on the side for drizzling just before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
32.5g
Carbs
10g
Protein
6g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vibrant Kitchen Garden Salad for Two?
It is a colorful and wholesome dinner salad inspired by local eatery dishes, featuring crunchy vegetables and protein-packed beans.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 2 people.
Is this salad suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, the salad is vegetarian and consists of fresh vegetables and legumes.
What type of lettuce is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one head of romaine lettuce, washed, dried, and chopped into bite-sized pieces.
Which beans are included in the salad?
The salad includes 1/2 cup of dark red kidney beans and 1/2 cup of garbanzo beans.
How should the carrots be prepared?
The carrots should be cut into small matchsticks to add a crisp texture.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 225 calories.
How much protein is in this garden salad?
The salad provides 10g of protein per serving, largely from the kidney and garbanzo beans.
Can I add extra ingredients like olives?
Yes, adding sliced black olives is a recommended suggestion for an extra layer of taste.
What dressing goes best with this salad?
A homemade honey mustard dressing is the recommended favorite for complementing these specific ingredients.
How do I prepare the beans before adding them?
Both the kidney beans and garbanzo beans should be thoroughly drained and rinsed.
How should the cherry tomatoes be handled?
You should use 4 to 6 small cherry tomatoes and cut them in half.
What is the carbohydrate content of this recipe?
The salad contains 32.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does this salad contain?
This recipe is a good source of fiber, providing 6g per serving.
Is there any fat in this salad?
The salad contains 5g of fat per serving.
How should the red onion be sliced?
The 1/4 cup of red onion should be cut into rings and placed on top of the salad.
How do I assemble the salad for the best presentation?
Arrange the lettuce first, then spoon a mixture of the beans and other vegetables on top in small mounds to showcase the colors.
Does this recipe use cooked corn?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/2 cup of corn that has been cooked and drained.
What size cucumber is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 of a small cucumber, cut into slices.
When should I add the dressing?
It is best to serve the dressing on the side and drizzle it over the salad just before enjoying.
Is this salad considered a healthy dinner option?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and nutritious, offering a variety of fresh vegetables and fiber.
How many different ingredients are in this salad?
There are 8 primary ingredients used in this recipe.
Can I make this salad for a light dinner?
Absolutely, it is specifically described as being perfect for a light yet satisfying dinner.
Are there any specific preparation tips for the lettuce?
Ensure the romaine lettuce is thoroughly washed and dried before chopping to maintain crunchiness.
What makes this salad 'vibrant'?
The combination of red beans, orange carrots, yellow corn, green cucumbers, and red tomatoes creates a visually striking dish.
Can I use different types of beans?
While kidney and garbanzo beans are specified, you can customize the protein source to your preference.
Is the sugar content high?
The recipe information does not list a specific sugar content, though the ingredients are primarily fresh vegetables and beans.
Does the recipe include sodium information?
The specific sodium content is not provided for this recipe.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
Tags include salad, dinner salad, healthy, vegetarian, colorful, nutritious, beans, and fresh vegetables.
Can I use a different type of onion?
Red onion is recommended for its flavor and color, but you could substitute other varieties if preferred.