Just in time for summer! Prepare this delicious toasted pita and bean salad and savor every bite of health, not just for your body but for your cognitive health, as well.

We've shared some of our favorite vegetarian and vegan recipes with you before. Like most of those dishes, this toasted pita and bean salad is rich with vitamins and minerals that support a targeted area of your body - in this case, your brain health.

After you're done serving up this tasty and brain-healthy recipe, be sure to check our "Healthy Ingredients" box below for special notes on the specific health foods it offers, as well as a tip for easier preparation. We're pretty sure you will love this one!

Toasted Pita & Bean Salad

Difficulty: Easy 
Time: 30 Minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 6-inch whole-wheat pita breads, cut or torn into bite-size pieces
2 cloves garlic, peeled
⅛ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons ground toasted cumin seeds
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2 cups cooked pinto beans, well drained and slightly warmed
1 cup diced plum tomatoes or ½ pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
½ cucumber, peeled and diced
1 cup sliced romaine lettuce
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spread pita pieces out on a large baking sheet.
3. Bake until crisp and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool on the pan.
4. Mash garlic and salt with the back of a chef's knife to form a paste.
5. Transfer to a bowl, add lemon juice and ground cumin and whisk to blend.
6. Add oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking continually. Season with pepper.
7. Place beans, tomatoes and cucumber in a serving bowl.
8. Add the toasted pita, lettuce, feta, parsley, mint and the dressing.
9. Toss to mix. Season with more pepper. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tip: Toast cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, 2 to 5 minutes. Let cool. Grind into a powder in a spice mill or blender.

Healthy Ingredients:

Cucumbers contain fisetin, an anti-inflammatory ingredient that supports and enhances brain health and cognitive function. Parsley is a great source of thiamine which is necessary for the body to breakdown fat and protein! 

Photo / Recipe Credit: Eating Well Magazine | eatingwell.com | We loved this recipe!

Sources

1. http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/249933/toasted-pita-bean-salad/