Salads

I love salads!!  Now some people think of a salad as a bowl of head lettuce, maybe a slice of tomato on the side, a few slivers of grated carrot…. Ok, that sounds like the basic old coffee shop rendition of the ‘50’s.

But I am here to clear up that misconception!

Salads, my friend, are a masterpiece of the creative imagination and taste buds! They can be a menagerie of many bursting flavors or as simple as one or two of you favorite veggies.

Salads can be a side dish or a main course, as light or heavy as your need dictates. It can be perched a top your plate, on a bed of chips or pasta, adorning an open face sandwich or tucked neatly inside a tortilla for a wrap.

I like to add fun finishing touches… not all at the same time… to my salads such as chopped nuts, slivers of coconut, dried blueberries, sunflower seeds, capers, berries, or whatever else I can find.

Experiment, play with the tastes and discover a wonderful world of fresh!

Here are a few of my favorites to get you thinking and eating.

**Tip**

**If I know some will be left over, I serve the dressing on the side so if there are leftovers, the salad stays fresh to keep for another meal.

Greek Salad

Not only is this pretty to look at, but it makes a great meal! You can add grilled chicken breast or shrimp if you like.

• 1 head Romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 (6 ounce) can black olives, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chunked
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• Put lettuce in a salad bowl toss with other veggies. Toss with dressing and feta cheese.

Dressing

Mix all together and toss in salad:

• 6 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1 ½ tbl. lemon juice
• 2 tbl. red wine vinegar
• 1 clove of garlic, finely chopped, or ¼ teas. garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste