This salad is anything but boring, making it one of my go-to meal prep lunches. Packed with nuts, seeds, legumes, and plenty of fresh veggies, this recipe won’t leave you starving by 2 pm. I chop all the fresh veggies and combine in one bowl, then add in the toppings as I go throughout the week. The roasted chickpeas create a mock-chicken crunch and the vegan parmesan seals the deal. For the croutons I like to use the last bits of a fresh loaf that is starting to get stale. Creamy and tangy, the garlicky sunflower dressing packs a punch and brings the salad together. Feel free to take liberties, substituting in your favorite veggies and nuts.

Vegan “Caesar” Salad
Prep time: 1 hour; serves 4
Ingredients
• 3–4 large curly kale leaves, thinly chopped
• 5 oz romaine lettuce ( I love Ugly Greens from Gotham Greens)
• 1 cup chopped cucumbers
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
• Crunchy Chickpeas (recipe below)
• Garlicky Sunflower Dressing (recipe below)
• Homemade croutons (recipe below)
• A sprinkle of Fake Parmesan

Directions
1. Combine all ingredients
2. To avoid wilting, do not add the chickpeas, dressing, croutons and parmesan until ready to eat

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Garlicky Sunflower Dressing
Total time: 1 hour; active prep time: 10 mins; store in the refrigerator 5 days
Ingredients
• 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 cup filtered water
• 4 TBSP fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 TBSP nutritional yeast

Directions
1. Soak sunflower seeds in boiling water for 45 mins
2. Combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender, scraping down the sides frequently until smooth

Crunchy Chickpeas
Total time: 30 mins; active prep time: 5 mins; store in the refrigerator 5 days
Ingredients
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1/4 tsp garlic salt
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• Cooking spray

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350º F
2. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil
3. Toss chickpeas with spices
4. Bake for 20–30 mins, shaking the pan frequently to ensure crunchiness on all sides

Homemade Croutons
Total time: 20 mins; active prep time: 5 mins; store at room temperature for 5 days
Ingredients
• 2 cups of chopped bread
• Cooking spray

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350º F
2. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil
3. Spread croutons evenly
4. Bake for 15–20 mins, shaking the pan frequently to ensure crunchiness on all sides