Chickpea Crunch Salad and DOLE Fresh Vegetables
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Last month, DOLE invited me out to gorgeous Carmel by the Sea to celebrate fresh veggies, crisp salads, and a four days of healthy eating in a beautiful setting with fine, fine, fine people.
There is so much I want to tell you. I want to tell you about beautiful Julie Deily. How, at one point, she started weeping just because Aviva and I were telling her how incredibly capable she is. It doesn’t matter how talented we are, everyone needs to hear they can do amazing things in order to believe it. I want to tell you about the illustriously beautiful Brooke and Jaime, who are just too, too remarkable for words. And about late night chats and early morning walks and a trip to the DOLE salad fields and a hundred other things.
But, as you may have been able to guess, it’s been a helluva month over here at the home of Le Cheeky Kitchen. Not only were we evacuated for canyon fires at the end of June, tripping to DOLE July, and moving into a new home (yet again) for the second time this year, but I am also in the process of letting life settle into a new normal after deciding mutually with my husband, John, to proceed with divorce. Which means I’m now wading through the summer as a working single mama, which, as it turns out, is insanely busy, chaotic, and wild.
The story is long. Will oen day share more. Give more. Blog more. But for today, I hope you’ll hop on over and read Julie’s recounting of the DOLE trip, check out her gorgeous pictures, then make my “Signature Salad Creation” made during a mad-dash 30-minute competition whilst kicking it in Carmel. The salad rocks, yo.
And so does life. Even when it throws you a few curve balls. Or a lot.
More soon!
A huge thanks to DOLE for inviting me to join them on this year’s Salad Celebration. They generously treated me to four days and three nights of remarkable food, incredible lessons on fresh vegetables, and a slew of fantastic conversations with a company I adore. Get on board with DOLE’s Facebook page, award-winning newsletter, and incredible products. They are a company worth knowing about!
Chickpea Crunch Salad
When asked to make a "signature salad" at the DOLE retreat last month, I couldn't stop thinking of what I just really wanted to eat for lunch. Something seriously rich and hearty. Something healthy with crazy mad flavor. And thus was born this incredible chickpea crunch salad. Crunchy fried chickpeas, a rich wasabi dressing, tons of veggies. If you're in the mood for a hearty vegan lunch, prepare thyself big time.
Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, drained
¼ cup flour
1 tsp wasabi powder
½ tsp salt
4 cups arugula
4 cups 1-cut lettuce
1 large carrot, shredded
1 cucumber, matensticked
4 scallions, diced
1 ½ cup bean sprouts, very fresh
½ cup cashews, salted
½ avocado
½ cup olive oil
1/3 cup rice vinegar
½ T tamari
Juice of 2 limes
½ tbsp. tahini
1 clove garlicDirections:
Coat chickpeas with flour, wasabi, salt. Fry in a bit of olive oil heated to med-high heat in a skillet.
Toss arugula and lettuce with carrots, cucumbers, scallions and beansprouts. Top with cashews.
Combine in blender avocado, olive oil, vinegar, tamari, lime juice, tahini, and garlic. Blend until pureed.
Drizzle Dressing
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Susie on August 6, 2012 at 7:58 am
Even when life is throwing you curveballs, your attitude is amazing! Keep making great food and all else will fall into place.
Carrie on August 6, 2012 at 8:19 am
For all that you are and all that you will become, my wish for you is peace and happiness.
Courtney Gomez on August 6, 2012 at 9:31 am
Brooke,
I’m not sure if you remember me or not, we exchanged a couple of e-mails last year when I reached out to you after your post about you being a “person of light” becuase you are. I’ve followed your blog since and once again our lives seem to mirror each other. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to – I’d love to chat with you again. :)
-Courtney
Lisa Crockett on August 6, 2012 at 11:21 am
Hugs to you, dear Brooke.
STH on August 6, 2012 at 1:29 pm
Wow. I think you may have maxed out your stress allowance for the year! Hang in there and I hope life settles down for you soon.
Jamie Duncan on August 6, 2012 at 4:09 pm
My prayer for you is that this new adventure brings you peace and happiness! Keep scattering sunshine!
Dana on August 6, 2012 at 6:45 pm
Oh Brooke. Life is a never ending series of changes, huh? I know we met only briefly (at Thermador in Scottsdale), but I was immediately aware of your incredibly special energy. I have so enjoyed keeping track of you through your blog and really admire your switching to a vegan diet. I have been through a divorce myself and I know that, no matter how right it is for you both, it is still gut-wrenching. Please feel free to reach out if you want to chat. I’ll be thinking of you.
Kendra on August 6, 2012 at 7:33 pm
Thinking of all of you!
becca on August 6, 2012 at 8:36 pm
I’m sorry to hear that about you and your husband. My husband and I found ourselves on that same track after we left the church. It seems like once the foundation of your marriage is gone it’s hard to keep yourselves together. Luckily we were able to and we eventually did start going back to church on a limited basis too. It’s hard to follow your heart and mind and wishes all at the same time sometime. Best of luck!
anna on August 6, 2012 at 10:21 pm
i’m sorry to hear about your divorce. here’s to brighter horizons!
Cookin' Canuck on August 7, 2012 at 7:08 am
It was so wonderful to be around you on this DOLE trip and to feed off of your amazing energy. You are one inspiring lady, Brooke!
Lauren on August 7, 2012 at 9:22 am
Happy to meet you at Dole, sweet Brooke! And loved your salad creation too!
JulieD on August 7, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Brooke, Brooke, you are so sweet!! So glad we finally got to meet!!! Been thinking about you and hope things are getting better and a little easier for you. xoxo
Colleen on August 8, 2012 at 8:13 am
This recipe looks delish! All the best to you and your lovely family!
Ammie on August 9, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Brooke, we’ve never met but I’ve been reading here since your Conversations With A Cupcake days. You come across as a beautiful, light filled, strong woman of immense integrity. :) I hope that wherever this new path leads you that you will find true happiness and joy. Much love! xoxo
Addie K Martin on August 22, 2012 at 11:26 am
You salad was amazing, Brooke :) Really nice to meet you out in Carmel Valley!
Aggie on August 24, 2012 at 3:43 pm
This is my kind of salad Brooke. I wish you strength, & peace, as you move forward into your new normal. Hugs.
rareajordansforsale.com on October 20, 2012 at 11:13 am
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Liz on April 10, 2013 at 2:59 pm
Love this salad. Thanks!