I love salads. They are one of my favourite things to make. Many people are fooled into thinking a salad is a mix of limp leaves and a few tomatoes and cucumber pieces thrown together. But, honestly, salads are so much more fun than that. You can put all sorts in salads, from the obvious leaves and veg, to fruit, cheese, eggs, chicken, and meats. One salad that I really enjoy is Courgette, Spinach, and bean salad. It’s a Mediterranean style dish, and one that is healthy, full of flavour and simple to make. This can be vegan, vegetarian or neither depending on your preference.
Courgette, Spinach, and Bean Salad
Ingredients
2 x 400g tin of black eye beans (drained weight 235g each)
4 courgettes
Approx 150g fresh baby spinach
1 -2 cloves garlic depending on taste. Add one at a time until you reach the desired flavour
Small bunch of fresh parsley or coriander
For the Dressing
Rind of 2 lemons (use a fine grater)
Juice of 2 lemons
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Freshly ground pepper (optional)
Method
For the Salad:
Boil water in a kettle and add it to a pan. Bring this to the boil.
Clean and cut Courgettes and add them to the boiling water and put the lid on.
Boil the courgettes for 7 minutes then add the beans and boil for a further 5 minutes (lid on).
Turn off the heat. Wash the spinach and add this in. Place the lid back on and leave this for 2-3 minutes.
Pour into a colander and strain off all of the fluid. The fluid can be collected, cooled and used to water plants.
You can eat this salad hot or cold.
If you choose to eat this hot, strain well and then add the dressing and tuck in.
If you choose to eat this cold, cool with cold water. Leave to drain for about 10 minutes, giving it a light shake to help excess water drip out of the bottom of the colander.
Add the dressing and enjoy.
Before serving either way, roughly chop the fresh parsley or coriander. Sprinkle this over the top of the salad.
For the Dressing:
Zest the 2 lemons and add this to the bean mix.
Chop the garlic and add some, not all to the dish.
Add the lemon juice and olive oil.
Add salt to taste.
Stir this in, taste it and add more of the cut garlic if required.
Serving Suggestions
This is yummy as it is. But, should you want to bulk up the dish or add some more protein, you can always add some tuna chunks.
If you fancy eating this Greek style then throw in some anchovies. These add a lovely salty flavour and you get a burst of extra flavour with each piece of anchovy. Each should be cut into 2-3 pieces and mixed in to the salad. You’ll need approximately 1 tin for this.
A piece of bread can also make a great addition. A chunk or slice of Olive bread, sundried tomato bread or any other bread you like will work. You can use the bread to soak up the yummy juices from the dressing.
Chefs Tips:
Don’t like black eye beans, use any other bean. White beans can work well as can a tin of mixed beans.
Cooked potatoes can also be added to the dish.
Use fresh parsley/coriander rather than dried, it tastes so much better.
I do hope you get to try this salad. My Courgette, Spinach, and Bean Salad is full of flavour, vitamins and minerals and is great to perk you up if you are anaemic if you eat it for a few days. The fibre content is great to help keep you regular and the dish also has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-neurodegenerative, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective (protects the liver), and antioxidant properties. Dishes like this may help in the prevention of some cancers. This is a low calorie dish as long as you don’t get overly excited with the olive oil. It’s one of those dishes great for heart health, bowel health, it’s high in protein so keeps you fuller for longer and more.
Do you enjoy eating different types of salads?
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Take a Look at Some More Yummy Salad Recipes Here:
Crispy Duck, Hoisin and Cucumber salad & Win a Lurch Spiralo Spiraliser
Tomato and Mozzarella salad with Mixed Leaves
Beetroot, Rocket, Avocado and Feta Salad
Tomato, Mixed leaf, Lentil, Feta and Olive Salad
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I love the way this recipe combines flavor and healthy ingredients. Zucchini is one of my favorite vegetables, and I grow them every year in my garden. I’ll be making this salad all season long!
I love trying new salads! This looks delicious – can’t wait to try this!
Enjoy Catherine. It’s full of flavour and healthy too.
Yum! This Courgette, Spinach, and Bean Salad has so much in it with so many yummy flavors. I’m adding this to my lunch menu soon!
The Courgette, Spinach, and Bean Salad recipe you shared sounds like a fresh and vibrant dish, perfect for any season. I love the idea of incorporating beans for protein and the lemon dressing for that zesty kick. Definitely a must-try for a healthy and flavorful meal!
You’ve made a salad lover out of me – which is amazing because I never was keen on making salads at home. In my opinion, they never tasted as good as in a restaurant. But – THIS spinach and bean salad recipe (and others from your site) makes it so easy and drool-worthy that I am a homemade maker again!
This sounds like an incredible recipe! I have to definitely try making it myself; so healthy AND so delicious!
Your courgette, spinach, and bean salad sound absolutely delicious and healthy. I love the fact that it can be customised as per one’s dietary preferences.
This salad is packed with flavor – just delicious! With the beans, courgettes, etc… it makes for a satisfying meal.
I love salad’s and I am always looking for new ideas. This one sounds delicious.
It is a tasty and healthy salad option.
I love salads with lots of different ingredients. I’ll add this to my recipe book.
Enjoy Richard.
Looks like a great spring salad. Are the courgettes on the bitter side without being cooked?
I’ve only ever eaten them cooked so wouldn’t know Joy. Maybe try them next time you buy some.
It is an interesting recipe! We love beans and spinach, and I’ll try to make this salad soon. Thank you for sharing.
This is really yummy and full of nutrients.
It’s a great salad recipe and easy to make.
I am happy because the food is nutritious and people should it this because of the different nutrients it can provide in the people.
It’s a very healthy dish and ideal to eat to keep down weight and for health reasons and thankfully it’s tasty too!
I will definitely love this salad! Beans and spinach are one of my favorites. I like how you used boiling water remaining for plant watering. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
This is a really tasty dish, I love it with anchovies. The water has all sorts of nutrients that the plants can use so it’s a good idea not to waste it by throwing it down the sink.
That is a nice, simple, and easy salad, perfect for any meal. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, I’m totally with you on the salad love! It’s crazy how underrated salads can be – they’re like a canvas for all sorts of tasty and unexpected ingredients. Your Courgette, Spinach, and Bean Salad sounds incredible! I’m a big fan of Mediterranean flavors, and this one seems like a winner – healthy, flavorful, and super simple to whip up. I can’t wait to give it a try, maybe throw in some grilled chicken or feta cheese to mix it up a bit! Thanks for sharing the recipe – definitely adding it to my list of must-try salads!
We are trying to incorporate more greens in our diet and this is very timely. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Love the choice for the dressing. Can’t wait to try it.
It is a great healthy recipe. You can squeeze in a few greens in there. Just play around with the ingredients.
Such an interesting salad! It is nice to see something unique like this, and so healthy. I’ve never had zucchini in a salad before.
Always nice to try some new salad ideas – sounds great!
I love a tasty salad and would never have thought of this combination of ingredients but would love to give it a go
I really never get around to anything other than a side salad – I promise to try
I love spinach, but had never thought of adding it to a salad! It contains so many nutrients!
It sure does and can be added to a wide range of dishes.
I love salads with beans and spinach. I’m not sold on the courgette I’m afraid but I bet it would be good with green beans or cucumber instead. Asparagus is also excellent in this kind of dish.
You can adjust this to your taste which helps.