Everything Bagel Salad

Croutons are best fresh from the oven. You can zap the crumbles in the microwave for even more warmth.

Looking for a meal that’ll leave you 100% satisfied without feeling stuffed? Want to get that meal on the table in less than 20 minutes? Here ya go…

Ingredients: two entrée-sized salads

6-8 cups tender, mild lettuce (such butterhead, little gem, or green leaf) 2 Everything bagels 1 cup LAFF protein crumbles (or other protein) 1 avocado ¼ cup chopped sun dried tomatoes packed in oil ⅔ cup Greek-style almond milk yogurt (such as Kite’s Hill) ⅓ cup almond or cashew milk, plus more to adjust the dressing consistency 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1½ teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds 1 teaspoon poppy seeds ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, to taste

Method

Croutons: Preheat the oven to 415 Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut the bagels into bite-sized pieces and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Generously spray the bagel pieces with cooking oil. Give them a stir to make sure they’re coated. Arrange the bagel pieces so that they don’t touch each other. Bake for 9-12 minutes, stirring every 4 minutes, until the pieces are toasted into croutons.

Dressing: While the croutons are baking, prepare the dressing. Add the following to a jar or bowl: 2/3 cup Greek-style yogurt, 1/3 cup almond milk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1½ teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds 1 teaspoon poppy seeds ½ teaspoon fine sea salt . Shake the jar (or stir in a bowl) until thoroughly combined and smooth. Set aside.

Produce: Peel and dice the avocado. Dice ¼ cup oil-packed sundried tomatoes. Chop the lettuce into easy-to-spear bites.

Assembly: Divide the lettuce, sundried tomatoes, and avocado between two large bowls. Top each with ½ cup LAFF protein crumbles, plus warm croutons. Drizzle with dressing, or serve the dressing on the side.

Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days.

Notes

What else tastes fantastic with the everything dressing? Cucumbers, radishes, carrots, and cauliflower.

For the right texture and tang, use Greek-style almond milk yogurt. Yogurt that is not Greek-style is too runny. Coconut and soy yogurts didn’t jive with the everything seasonings as well.

You can use dried minced garlic and onion instead of powder. However, the flakes (minced pieces) tend to sink in the dressing; using powdered garlic and onion facilitates even distribution. If flakes or granules is what you’re craving, then use 1½ tablespoons dried minced garlic and 1 tablespoon dried minced onion.

Another seasoning option is to use pre-made Everything But The Bagel Seasoning. I recommend using 2-3 tablespoons depending on whether it includes the salt.

You can also substitute the everything bagel with any other type of everything bread. Croutons made from everything sourdough are A+.

Want something sweeter? Try the Cinnamon-Raisin Bagel Salad with Apple Butter Cashew Dressing or (my favorite) the Blueberry Bagel Salad with Chocolate Vinaigrette and Toasted Cocoa Hazelnuts.