Spring Salad with Roasted Veggies and Tahini Sauce

One of the few restaurants that we frequent is Pita Jungle. The menu isn’t completely vegan, but includes a few delicious items that are. This recipe is inspired by their Wood-Fired Vegetable Salad, which is my go-to grab-and-go when my day is running long and I’m too tired to cook. My version is simple to make and incredibly yummy, just like the original!

But is it healthy, Lisa? I’m sure you’re asking. (Joking! I know that you know it must be healthy if I’m sharing it!)

But I will tell you in what ways it’s healthy. Its rainbow of colors provides for an abundance of whole body benefits. (See this post for more on that.) And although I started reading about the health advantages of mushrooms many years ago, research continues to reveal added value; they are anti-allergic, anti-cholesterol, and anti-cancer, according to a recent write-up from the National Library of Medicine. The raw garlic, lemon, and olive oil in the dressing are packed with immune-boosting nutrients and lots of digestive-friendly enzymes. And according to an article from Healthline, super-nourishing tahini, or sesame seed butter, is good for the health of the kidneys, liver, & brain; contains a load of healthy fats, antioxidants & anti-inflammatory compounds; and can help protect against chronic disease such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.

If the idea of warm vegetables on a bed of romaine doesn’t appeal to you, feel free to make a wrap instead. Either way, I believe you’ll enjoy this combination of textures and flavors as much as we do.

Yield: 4 servings

Salad Ingredients – use organic and/or non-GMO whenever possible
1 head of romaine, chopped for salads
2 med carrots, cut into 1/8 inch thick rounds
1/2 med eggplant, diced small
2 med zucchini, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
2 med yellow squash, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1/4 lb med baby bellas, stems removed & left whole
1/4 lb large cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Mineral salt & fresh-ground pepper to taste
2 – 4 tbsp avocado oil
Dressing as desired (recipe below)
1 – 2 Lemons, halved (in addition to those needed for dressing)

Dressing Ingredients (Makes just over 1 cup)
2 cloves minced garlic
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed butter)
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
3 tbsp olive oil
2-3 tbsp warm water
1 tsp mineral salt

Directions
Prepare plates with beds of romaine.

Place cut veggies on a large, oiled baking sheet, adding more oil on top. (No need to get them all on a single layer.) Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast in a preheated 400 degree oven for about 20 minutes, turning halfway through, adding more salt & pepper after turning.

Meanwhile, whisk all ingredients for the dressing together, adding just enough water for your desired consistency. Taste for salt, adding more if needed.

Arrange veggies on top of romaine leaves, adding generous amounts of dressing & hefty squeezes of fresh lemon. Enjoy!

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.