Spinach and Edamame Salad

Before we spiral into the vortex of chest hair-growing, involuntary grunting, crotch-scratching and Arsenio Hall arm-pumping-style dude food this week, we need to prepare our stomach cavity.

We need to massage it and stretch it. We need to put a damp towel around its shoulders and squirt cold water into it. Give it pep talks, sing it inspirational tunes, take it on a long sunset-y beach walk. Braid its hair.

That’s almost the weirdest thought I’ve ever had.

I had this OMG moment at Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago. You know how it’s always a bad idea to go into a grocery run hungry? Right. Well, as I was perusing the salad counter and gnawing on my metacarpals, I grabbed a pretty spinach salad all packaged up real pretty with a bunch of other pretty stuff inside. I cut my errand short (but not without 2 Buck Chuck, YOU CAN BREATHE) and drove home so I could eat and bandage up my hand.

And I had two thoughts:

* This is seriously the best salad in existence!
* I can make this at home!
* I hope this coconut oil really does deep condition my hair!

Three, whatever.

AND, get this. You can prepare the “guts” on Sunday, seal it in an air-tight container and have instant salads ANYTIME YOU DREAM ALL WEEK WHENEVER.

Cleaaaaanse yo’self.

Don’t ask me what my weirdest thought is. Things are going too well for you and me.

Spinach and Edamame Salad:

What it takes for 4 salads:

* 1 (14.5 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
* 1 (10 oz) bag of frozen edamame
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1/2 cup pepitas
* 2 large carrots, finely sliced
* 10 cups baby spinach, divided
* 2 lemons, juiced
* 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Cook the edamame in boiling water according to package directions. Drain.

Once cooked, let cool about 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, toss the edamame with the chickpeas, dried cranberries, pepitas and carrots.

In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake the lemon juice with the oil, along with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Voila, dressing.

Arrange 2-ish cups of spinach on a plate, and top with the edamame mixture. Dress the salad with the lemon dressing and….lunch!

*You can use whatever dressing you prefer. I just happen to be obsessed with straight up lemon.

 

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40 Responses to Spinach and Edamame Salad

  1. Maria January 30, 2012 at 2:08 pm #
    Yay! So glad you posted this! Making it ASAP!
  2. Gina @ Running to the Kitchen January 30, 2012 at 2:17 pm #
    While I have no desire to watch the manly event at the end of this week, I can definitely still get behind this salad!
  3. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar January 30, 2012 at 2:22 pm #
    Health Foooooood! Yum!
  4. Katie January 30, 2012 at 2:45 pm #
    Heck yeah. I love make-ahead things...I'm on it.
  5. Lori @ RecipeGirl January 30, 2012 at 2:52 pm #
    I'm kinda needing a cleanse salad like this after wrapping up the dessert's chapter of my cookbook. You have no idea what kind of CRAP I've been eating. Oh wait, I mean... delicious desserts! Seriously, this looks mighty pretty.
  6. Jennifer | Mother Thyme January 30, 2012 at 3:31 pm #
    I need this salad for lunch! Actually defrosted a bag of edamame last night so I think I might be whipping this fabulous salad up! Yum!
  7. Marina {YummyMummyKitchen.com} January 30, 2012 at 3:32 pm #
    This is just what I want for lunch!
  8. Lauren January 30, 2012 at 3:47 pm #
    I've totally seen this at TJ's! Totally trying this!
  9. Marly January 30, 2012 at 4:04 pm #
    I love healthy salads and this one looks like a doozy. In case you're wondering, that's Missouri talk for the best ever!
  10. Jessica January 30, 2012 at 4:40 pm #
    Gorgeous! and PINNED! :)
  11. DessertForTwo January 30, 2012 at 5:08 pm #
    Ok, it's been a while since I've taken a salad out on a date, but I'm thinking I might be up for romancing this dude.
  12. Deanna B. January 30, 2012 at 5:27 pm #
    I just found what I thought was my new winter salad love, but then you have to go and post this and now I'm just not sure.
  13. Katie @ Epicurean Mom January 30, 2012 at 5:58 pm #
    This sounds like my perfect meal!
  14. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids January 30, 2012 at 6:16 pm #
    Oh how your posts make me smile. And, this salad looks awesome! I cannot wait to try it.
  15. Cookbook Queen January 30, 2012 at 6:53 pm #
    Oh get over here, you yummy gorgeous salad!!!
  16. Asmita January 30, 2012 at 7:53 pm #
    Love this salad! Quick , easy and healthy. Cannot wait to try it.
  17. Lisa [With Style and Grace] January 30, 2012 at 7:55 pm #
    I want, I want, I WANT!!!!
  18. Kathryn January 30, 2012 at 8:39 pm #
    I love salads that are full of crunch and colour! This ticks all my boxes.
  19. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga January 30, 2012 at 9:23 pm #
    THIS THIS is so me. THIS is the kind of food I eat, love, and want. This, and a bunch of rich desserts :)
  20. Christi's Chirps January 30, 2012 at 9:29 pm #
    Hi, Bev! I so enjoy reading your posts! :) This salad looks heavenly! I need this soon as I've been eating an embarrassing amount of carbs, creamy soups and chocolate cookies! Cheers! Christi
  21. Cassie January 31, 2012 at 2:06 am #
    LOVE it. Edamame is my favorite!
  22. Cookie and Kate January 31, 2012 at 2:14 am #
    I want to chomp on my screen right now. Why is edamame so good? Also, just remembered that I still have coconut oil in my hair and I still don't have a new dishwasher, but it's time to wash this stuff out.
  23. Jillian @ Newlybread January 31, 2012 at 4:24 am #
    This looks so refreshing and perfect! I love your analogies-ok, braiding your stomach's hair is super weird but also funny!!
  24. Deborah January 31, 2012 at 4:55 am #
    I am so all over this.
  25. myfudo January 31, 2012 at 7:50 am #
    My kind of salad! I love that it is colorful and healthy and fresh...Spinach rocks! Thanks for sharing...
  26. Sara {Home is Where the Cookies Are} January 31, 2012 at 11:36 am #
    Oh, I do love salads like this. Meaty and filling and make-ahead-y. I'll be saving this one! Thanks!!
  27. jeny January 31, 2012 at 2:29 pm #
    i'm very excited to find your site (also in KC) and the salad will hit the spot ... though i will need to tweak the dressing ... that's a little bright for my developing veg/vegan pallet.
  28. bridget {bake at 350} January 31, 2012 at 4:04 pm #
    I have a bag of edamame in my freezer...now I know what to do with it!!! ;) Gotta get healthy before all that queso on Sunday. ;)
  29. Koko January 31, 2012 at 5:21 pm #
    So delicious and healthy looking!
  30. Khani January 31, 2012 at 6:02 pm #
    Looks delicious!! Saw this recipe on twitter. Do you know the calorie count on this salad per serving?
    • Bev Weidner January 31, 2012 at 6:03 pm #
      Thank you! Naww, I don't count calories, but with these ingredients, probably like 4. :)
  31. claire @ the realistic nutritionist January 31, 2012 at 9:10 pm #
    So bright and pretty! (and I'm sure pretty damn tasty too!)
  32. Jenny February 1, 2012 at 3:03 am #
    So pretty....and this is a great salad for upcoming Spring......sweet Spring!
  33. Mindy W February 1, 2012 at 1:57 pm #
    It is a tasty salad. Thanks for doing what all of us should do- copy the bagged salad ingredients and go make our own!
  34. Katelyn February 10, 2012 at 4:23 pm #
    Had this lovely salad last night for dinner with a grilled chicken breast. Was delightful. Am thrilled we have leftovers to eat to for lunch. Have you ever considered posting nutrition information with your recipes? I'd appreciate that addition to your awesome site!
  35. MarieElizabeth February 11, 2012 at 2:55 am #
    Definitely next weeks' new meal!
  36. Anonymous January 6, 2021 at 3:22 pm #
    Love this salad! Been eating it for years

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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  3. spinach and edamame salad « ilonaskitchen - April 14, 2012 [...] adapted from bevcooks [...]

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