One of the things I love about summer is that I can eat like a Queen without much effort. Mid July, our crisper is now overflowing with farmer’s market vegetables, none of which need much fuss or strategic planning in order for a memorable meal. Life gets a bit simpler (yet busier) in the summer and our meals tend to follow suit.
This salad is one such easy summer dish I made yesterday. It took about 10 minutes to prepare and it’s almost entirely raw. If there was such a thing as summer in a bowl this would be it. Tomatoes, corn, cucumber, red pepper, fresh dill, and green onion make up the base, while a creamy avocado lemon dressing ties it all together. The flavour is out of this world.
Instead of using a bean or legume for the protein (and requiring the stove-top!), I used hulled hemp seed, a complete protein containing all 10 essential amino acids and also an excellent source of B vitamins, folic acid, Chlorophyll, Vitamin E, potassium, and more (source). Hemp is easy to digest and a fun way to pump up any salad. A little bit goes a loooong way. You can find it in the natural food section of most grocery stores, as well as bulk food stores like Bulk Barn, online (see my vegan shopping guide here), and in health food stores.
Plus, it’s so darn pretty!
Each 2-cup serving of this salad contains 15 grams of protein, 11 grams of fibre, and 14 grams of healthy fats making it hearty and satisfying.
It also goes fantastic with my newest chip obsession – Neal Brothers Tortillas!
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Speedy Summer Hemp Power Salad
Yield
4 cups
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Ingredients
For the vegetable base
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn (thawed & drained if using frozen)
- 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1 & 1/2 cups chopped cucumber (about 1/2 an English cucumber)
- 1 red pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp minced fresh dill weed
- 3 tbsp hulled hemp seed
For the dressing
- 1/2 cup avocado flesh (1/2 a large avocado)
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp hemp seed
- 1/4 tsp fine grain kosher salt, or to taste
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
Directions
- Chop vegetables and place into a large bowl.
- In a mini processor, process the dressing ingredients together until mostly smooth. You can also mash/chop/mix the dressing ingredients by hand.
- Pour dressing onto vegetables and stir well. Now, stir the hemp seed into the salad. Season to taste and serve. Sprinkle with hemp seed on top because it’s pretty! This salad is best served immediately. With time, water will release from the vegetables and pool at the bottom.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Summer at its finest.
Enjoy!
I love this time of year too! There really is nothing better than fresh from the vine, local produce. Great idea about adding hemp seeds — I need to increase my protein intake and I never thought about using hemp seeds and I just happen to have some in my refrigerator :)
I’ve been doing the same thing! Plenty of farmers’ market produce to make salad, homemade tapas (!!!), and even breakfast too :)
I have never tried hulled hemp seed and this makes me want to run out the door for some right now! I just so happen to have all of those veggies in my fridge-lunch!!!
Great looking recipe-thanks!
Love avocado-based dressings; that color is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
YUM! This recipe looks delicious! i am archiving it now. What a perfect summer treat.
My boyfriend’s mom was recently in an accident and was told to up her protein for healing. I’m definitely going to make her this!
Ohh, yummy yummy! I have started using hemp seeds so much more in my cooking. I made a salad similar to yours and used the seeds in a dressing, I just blended them with an avocado, apple cider vinegar and a few dates for sweetness. My other favorite way to use hemp seeds is in a raw cookie. Thanks for the continued inspiration!
I love that I have every ingredient in my fridge from our CSA this week, including fresh sweet corn! I know what’s going to be for lunch, with a side of my Ezekiel wrap chips and some okra!
that sounds lovely!
This looks amazing and I only need a few more ingredients! Can’t wait to try it out!! This would be great with some raw bread, too.
This looks fantastic and “so Angela.” Can’t wait to make it! Yummy yummers :)
I’ve been loving these types of meals lately, when it’s been way too hot to turn on the oven. The produce is so awesome right now – it can totally stand on its own. Looking forward to trying this salad!
Love this recipe! I actually do something very similar, I think the only difference is that I cube my avocado instead of using it as a dressing. Great flavors :)
So, like a crazy person, I was at the grocery store at 7 when it opened to buy all of these ingredients. Let me just say… .YUM! I can’t wait for lunch.
hah nice. ;) Hope you enjoy it Kim.
I definitely feel like I eat like a queen in the summer too. The only problem is- there are TOO many good veggies at the farmers market! I tend to go way overboard and buy enough to stock up my entire fridge. My husband and I both love veggies, and can have a big serving with each meal- but there’s still only so much that 2 people can eat (and it KILLS me to throw away produce!)
power salad indeed! this looks incredible!
This salad sounds amazing! I LOVE avocado dressings, they are so creamy and delicious.
Mm, I’d love a bowl of this for picnicing this afternoon! I’ve just recently started using hemp seeds, and their nutritional power still boggles my mind… they’re incredible! Will definitely be making this salad soon. :)
oooooh this sounds SO fresh and delicious! i love the dressing too…something i think i’d use on just about anything!
Please forgive me if this was asked earlier or mentioned but I am new to using different grains and seeds. Did you use both hulled hemp seeds and hemp seeds for this? The recipe I printed mentions both. Many Thanks~I love your recipes.
Hey Fran, Sorry if I confused you! I used shelled (or hulled) hemp seeds throughout. Enjoy :)
Hey Ange! Can this avocado dressing be made up ahead of time and stored in the fridge or it it best used immediately?
I wouldn’t expect the dressing would last more than a 1-2 days. I find avocado can “go” pretty quick once prepared. I’m sure it would be fine for a couple days though.