Spinach Salad with Avocado-Ranch Dressing

From EatingWell: March/April 2013

This healthy spinach salad recipe uses one avocado two ways: half goes into a healthy creamy ranch dressing and the other half of the avocado gets chopped to top the spinach salad.

Spinach Salad with Avocado-Ranch Dressing Recipe

Makes: 4 servings, about 1 3/4 cups each

Active Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile

View Our Nutrition Guidelines »

Ingredients

1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted, divided
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 2 teaspoons dried
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 5- to 6-ounce package baby spinach (about 8 cups)
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed

Preparation

Scoop 1 avocado half into a blender; add buttermilk, dill, vinegar, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Puree until smooth.
Cut the remaining avocado half into 1/2-inch chunks. Combine spinach, bell pepper and chickpeas in a large bowl. Add the dressing; toss to coat. Divide among 4 salad plates and top with the chopped avocado.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate dressing (Step 1) for up to 1 day.

Nutrition

Per serving: 207 calories; 9 g fat ( 1 g sat , 5 g mono ); 1 mg cholesterol; 27 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 7 g protein; 8 g fiber; 366 mg sodium; 696 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (95% daily value), Vitamin A (88% dv), Folate (45% dv), Potassium (20% dv), Magnesium (18% dv)

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1/2 lean meat, 1 1/2 fat

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