Mixed Greens & Chickpeas Citrus Salad

I'll never get tired of eating salads. Every salad has it's own character and unique flavor profile. I like mine with some kind of legume to add protein, a little something heavier and more filling. For this recipe I recommend using dry chickpeas; they personally taste better to me, but if you are short on time, a can or two will work fine too.

Although, it is more difficult if not impossible to find items like legumes in bulk now a days because of Covid 19, one great thing about this recipe is the ease with which it can be made with ingredients that you can find without plastic. Instead of buying the prepackaged mixed greens, you can make your own from the assortment of plastic-free leafy greens found where you shop. If chickpeas or garbanzos can't be found in bulk, they can be found in recyclable aluminum cans. Everything else usually comes plastic free year round, unless you shop at Trader Joe's. As much as I love Trader Joe's I cannot bring myself to shop there anymore because of the insane amount of unnecessary plastic on their produce. But that's, a story for another time.

The following recipe is great during spring and summer because it's citrusy and light. Please eat plenty of it with a large glass of water or white wine :)

Ingredients

1 cup dry chickpeas or 1-2 cans

1 cucumber (chopped)

1/2 red onion (diced)

1 celery stick (sliced)

1 orange bell pepper (chopped)

bundles of leafy greens (kale, spinach, romaine, etc.)

1 lemon

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 teaspoons white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Please note that you can add the lemon, olive oil, wine vinegar and salt liberally to taste. I've put measurements for the sake of having a number up there but your salad will taste much better if the dressing is made to your likeness of citrus, salt and oil.

Preparation

If you are making the chickpeas from dry, soak them for at least 8 hours, then boil them with salt, garlic and onion until soft, or for about 1 hours. Cover the chickpeas with water by 2 inches.

Add all ingredient to a salad bowl, toss and serve.