Mediterranean Salad

 Hearty, robust and delicious! This salad has everything you have dreamed about in a Greek salad, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms, bacon, hearts of palm and Calamata olives. It is one of my go to lunches....minus the onion strings! I did those for a twist. Not an original idea, they actually serve a chopped salad at our club with the onion strings on top. I admit, I give mine to Wee Bear.....I think he loves that I do that.



Mediterranean Salad

Spring Mix or any greens you like

2 diced tomatoes or cherry tomato halves
1/2 c. diced cucumber ( I love cucumber, so I do 3/4 cup)

1/4 lb. sliced mushrooms

6 slices of bacon, crumbled

3/4 c. Feta
1/2 cup Kalamata olives, cut in half

Small can marinated hearts of palm sliced

Diced chicken or shrimp if desired

Mix all the above.

Dressing:

1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon sherry or red wine vinegar
1/2 small shallot, peeled and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3T to 4T olive oil

fresh herbs, chopped basil and thyme or any you like

1. In a small bowl, mix together the salt, vinegar, and shallot. Let stand for about ten minutes.

2. Mix in the Dijon mustard, then add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir well, then taste. If too sharp, add the additional olive oil and more salt, if necessary.

If you wish to add fresh herbs, it’s best to chop and mix them in shortly before serving so they retain their flavor.

Storage: This dressing will keep for about eight hours at room temperature. If you want to make it farther in advance, it’s best to add the shallots closer to serving.

Garnish -  onion strings  (optional)                                                           

This is a perfect Spring and Summer salad, I eat it all year round for lunch. However, as a side for grilled fish or chicken it would be lovely!

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I have been at my hiking/yoga retreat all week in Laguna Beach and will be blogging about my experience in the near future. Check out the web site The Pearl Laguna   I have been here many times, I try to cleanse once a year and this is the perfect place to do it!!

The hike in the hills above Laguna, hundreds of miles of trails!

See you on Monday! Have a super weekend!!

Cheers!
JJ