During late summer and early fall, dinner at our home means salad or something grilled, and sometimes both. I love a good, hearty salad to fill me up after a long day of work (or swimming). This is a vegan, Southwest and salad take on a classic BLT sandwich. Instead of bacon, I used coconut bacon, which is pretty amazing. If you’re not vegan, you could also use the real thing. I just think this adds a little something unexpected and special to the salad. The dressing is also dairy-free, vegan and 100% amazing!
This BLT salad goes a long way towards fitting in all those veggies and good fats we need in our day. The dressing really is delicious. It’s made with a cashew cream base with chili powder, cumin, and plenty of fresh lime juice. I served some spicy homemade salsa on the side, too, because salsa! I think a good salad has to have a balance of flavors and textures, and this salad has just that – crunchy, creamy, sweet, spicy and savory. It would be a great salad to take to a summer BBQ or for a luncheon with the girls.
Vegan Southwest BLT Salad with Zesty Lime Dressing
Ingredients
- One 5 ounce package baby lettuce mix
- 1/2 cup coconut bacon
- 2 large tomatoes diced
- 2 avocados diced
- 1 cup black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1 bunch green onions thinly sliced
- 1 jalapeno thinly sliced or minced, optional
- For garnish: tortilla strips fresh cilantro
For zesty lime dressing:
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Prepare dressing: Place all of the ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. Add a little more water, if necessary, to reach the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings, if needed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
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To assemble salads: Divide the baby lettuce mix between six large dinner plates, or in a very large, shallow bowl. Top with the remaining ingredients. Serve with the dressing on the side.
Recipe Notes
-The cashews can be soaked in a bowl of water overnight or for several hours. Rinse and drain well, then proceed with the recipe.
