Vegetarian Garbage Salad…Well, Kinda

There are days when I continuously open my fridge convinced that there’s some new food to discover.  It always happens when I’m in desperate need to go to the grocery store.  Luckily for me I usually keep a few staples in the house for just such an occasion.  I call this a garbage salad.  But it’s not garbage and it’s not really salad.  It’s honestly random things in my pantry and fridge that taste surprisingly good together.

1 or 2 tomatoes
1 avocado
1/2 can of organic black beans
shredded cheese  — add as much or as little as you like.  I like lots so…
a few sliced green olives — if I’m in the mood, I’ll add some.
cayenne pepper to taste
a dash of salt and pepper
a drizzle of organic cold pressed virgin olive oil
a dash of red wine vinegar

And that’s kinda it.  I chop up the tomato and avocado, mix in the black beans, olive oil and vinegar and add the cheese last.

Why did I put these items together?  Well, tomato’s are great for you because of the antioxidant, lycopene.  An avocado is a great source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, Vitamins A, B3, C and K and other minerals.  I believe that avocados are underrated.  Most people stay away from these nutritious alligator pears because of the fat and calories.  The fat in avocados is the good kind of fat that your body will burn throughout the day.  It gives you the fuel you need to have energy.  Black beans are full of protein that your body needs.  As for the cheese… I love cheese, so why not.  These random good foods fill me up and give me a boost of sustainable energy for the day.  My tummy and my body appreciate it.

serves 2

Mmmm, gross looking salads sure are yum.