I run my own blog and enjoy discovering others every day. I love seeing how passionate people are about their projects and photography. Blogging and social media let us share experiences, stories, recipes, tips, and more. Technology and the internet have made it easier for people to be creative, and I find that inspiring.
I discovered Mrs. Buena Vida’s blog and her chunky salad with basil vinaigrette. After seeing her food photos I knew I wanted to try the recipe. The salad recipe is hers; I only added a bit of yellow bell pepper for color. This recipe is simple, delicious, and worth trying. As you make the basil vinaigrette more often, you’ll learn the proportions that suit your taste.
Chunky Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients for the salad
- 1 medium to large avocado, chopped into chunks
- 1–2 Roma tomatoes, diced (or grape tomatoes quartered)
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup greens (kale, arugula, romaine, or spinach), chopped (spinach recommended)
- 1/2 cup cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Dressing
- 1/2 clove fresh garlic, optional but recommended (or use crushed garlic)
- 2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar or other wine vinegar (brown rice vinegar also works)
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tablespoon agave nectar (or another sweetener to taste)
- 1–2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, loosely packed
Preparation
Wash and chop all vegetables and place them in a large bowl. Rinse and drain the garbanzo beans and add them to the bowl.
In a mini food processor or blender, process the garlic first. Add the vinegar, mustard, agave, and olive oil, then pulse until the mixture is emulsified and slightly creamy. Add the basil and pulse a few more times, leaving some basil pieces slightly chunky for texture.
Lightly toss the chopped vegetables and garbanzo beans with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste, toss again gently, and serve immediately.
This salad is versatile—adjust the greens, add other fresh vegetables, or vary the amount of dressing to suit your preferences. Enjoy!