Pesto-style Butterbean Salad

I need constant inspiration to keep me motivated for my lunchtime greens. Don't get me wrong, I love having salad for lunch. It makes me feel amazing inside and really energizes me! But let's be honest, salad NEEDS to be dressed up to look sexy and taste delicious. So that's what I did with this one...

...and it definitely makes me want to eat more salad!

This one is so quick to make, very light on the wallet and waistline, and has all the nutrients you'll need to sustain you until your afternoon snack! Packed with fibre, protein and good fats - you'll definitely want to add this to your lunchtime salad repertoire!

Ingredients: (makes 2 servings)

- 3 cups fresh dark green lettuce - 1 can butter beans or cannellini beans - 1 large handful of chopped fresh basil - 1 clove of garlic crushed - 1/2 lemon juiced - 1 tablespoon pinenuts - 1/2 small avocado finely chopped

Method:

1. Combine beans, basil, garlic, lemon juice and pinenuts in a bowl. Mix well. 2. Lightly "crush" the mixture with a potato masher to bring out the flavours. 3. Add the avocado 4. Spoon the mixture over the salad leaves. Drizzle with EVOO. Season with salt and pepper.

Lovely! If you want to give this salad a bit more oomph (for those active peeps out there) you can add some 4Grain Protein Rice to this or some form of lean protein. I served it with a can of tuna in EVOO for my husband - he loved it!

Don't let salad boredom prevent you from getting your essential greens - get regular inspiration from blogs, recipe books, websites and tv shows! Here are some of my favourites for salad inspiration:

1. Pinterest - just search "salads" and you'll be instantly presented with a sea of salad ideas. Thank me later!

2. Salad blogs like this one - salad pride and say yes to salad blog

3. The salad collection on Taste.com

Question: What is your favourite salad and where do you get your inspiration from?