TBLT Salad with Vegan Ranch Dressing

This has been my favorite salad lately. It's the perfect combo of protein, fat, and carbs. Getting those macronutrients in one meal can help you to feel fuller longer and satisfied after eating. Plus it's super easy to make!
If you don't know what "tempeh" is let me explain, tempeh is a vegan protein source made from fermented soybeans, as opposed to tofu where the soybeans are not fermented. Tempeh can be seasoned with different flavors to mimic bacon or buffalo style meats and is used in place of meat for vegans and vegetarians. Being that it is fermented it tends to be a bit healthier than tofu. Fermented foods are better for digestion and contain probiotics as well as different vitamins and minerals. Not to mention it has more protein than tofu. 

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​I am using the lettuce I grew in my garden to make this salad, although I think I may have gone a little overboard with how much I grew this year...oops, lots of salads in my future!! Lettuce is super easy to grow if you are looking to start somewhere easy with a garden.

​Tempeh Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato (TBLT) Salad  & Vegan Ranch Dressing Recipe
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​INGREDIENTS

• 2-3 strips of tempeh bacon
• 5-6 cherry tomatoes (halved)
• half an avocado 
• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas (drained)
• Lettuce (chopped)

Vegan ranch dressing 

• 1/2 cup hemp seeds
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 1 cup water (adding small amounts if needed for thinning)
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 salt
• 1 tsp onion powder 
• 1 tsp dried dill 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Make the dressing by combining all your ingredients into your blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.
2. ​In a small pan add your tempeh bacon, cook until slightly crispy on each side. Set aside to let cool.
3. Chop lettuce, tomato, avocado, and drain chickpeas.
4. Assemble your salad- lettuce, tomatoes, tempeh bacon, chickpeas, avocado, and drizzle with the vegan ranch dressing.
5. Sprinkle a little sea salt and pepper on top.

**You can also chop up the tempeh bacon before adding it into your salad to make it easier to eat. (I wanted it to look like bacon strips for the picture.)