Rainbow Crunch Salad

Ingredients for Rainbow Crunch Salad

• Kale: Known for its robust flavor and texture, kale is the perfect green base for our salad. It holds up well and melds beautifully with both creamy and crunchy textures. For those who find kale a bit too bold, swapping it for milder fresh baby spinach is a fantastic alternative.
• Iceberg Lettuce: Crisp and refreshing, iceberg adds a crunchy hydration to the salad that compliments the denser texture of kale. It’s light in flavor and adds a nice bulk, making each bite satisfyingly crunchy.
• Carrot: Bright orange carrots bring a sweet, earthy crunch to the salad. Loaded with beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamin K, making them not only super tasty, but also incredibly good for you.
• Red Bell Pepper: These peppers are sweet and mild with a juicy crunch that contrasts beautifully with the leafy greens. They are high in antioxidants and vitamin C, adding a burst of nutrition as well as color.
• Purple Cabbage: With its vibrant hue, purple cabbage adds a textural crunch that holds up well in salads.
• Cucumbers: Known for their hydrating properties and crisp texture, cucumbers add a refreshing bite which balances out the denser textures in the salad.
• Edamame: These green soybeans are not just a delightful pop of color; they’re also a fantastic source of plant protein, iron, and calcium, making them a nutritional powerhouse in this salad.
• Corn: Sweet corn kernels contribute a tender crunch and natural sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory flavors of the other vegetables.
• Mighty Lil’ Crunchy Corn: This ingredient, or an alternative like nuts or seeds, adds an extra layer of crunchy texture and a bit of saltiness, elevating the salad’s overall flavor profile.

Creamy Dressing Ingredients

• Tahini: This sesame seed paste is not only delicious but also rich in minerals such as phosphorus, lecithin, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It creates a creamy base for the dressing that’s incomparably smooth and rich.
• Lemon Juice: Adds a fresh, citrusy zing that brightens up the rich tahini, providing a light and tangy contrast.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Enhance the salad dressing’s consistency and smoothness with healthy fats.
• Maple Syrup: Offers a touch of natural sweetness to balance the acidity of the lemon and the robustness of the tahini.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: This adds a hint of nutty flavor to the dressing, enhancing the sesame profile and bringing an aromatic warmth.
• Garlic: A small amount of grated garlic goes a long way, offering a pungent kick that complements the creamy elements of the dressing.
• Water: Added to achieve the desired consistency for your dressing.
• Sea Salt: Optional, but it really enhances the flavors of the dressing.
• Parsley: Adds a burst of color and a herby freshness that ties all the dressing ingredients together beautifully.