Crispy Crunchy Chopped Salad

Many of you know my love of pasta and creamy risotto. You also may know I suffer with Chronic Kidney Disease; which is being managed today by a new eating plan that my doctor recently suggested. While not a diet, this is an eating plan designed to help those who suffer with chronic systemic inflammation. I have been suffering these past 3 years with a body I no longer knew. I began to get very dispirited which for me is very unusual.

For a period of time, in order to heal, I must swear off all pastas, rice, breads, sugar and anything dairy. A little tough, but after the first 2 weeks I can feel the difference.

Something really good is happening.

As such, I have become obsessed with salads, and all things leafy and green. I have always made my own salad dressings and so today I want to share my 3 go-to favorites that you can make in less than 5 minutes.

I love really simple salads like great lettuces with tomatoes and avocado but I also love fully loaded chopped salads thrown together with anything I can get my hands on that is super fresh.

Today, I want to share my absolute favorite Crispy Crunchy Chopped Summer Salad. Basically, you can use any kind of lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, radishes, herbs, cabbages and nuts you wish. You can add tomatoes or no tomatoes.

It is all up to you.

Every idea and recipe I post is meant to inspire you....so I hope you will be inspired to be creative with salads this summer and to make your own salad dressings.

Crispy Crunchy Salad Ingredients:

Romaine, Arugula, Bib, Endive and/or Red leaf lettuces - (as much as you wish)

*add to your lettuces - sliced red cabbage, radicchio, chopped parsley, basil or mint

1 cucumber - seeded and sliced

1 red onion or shallot - sliced thin

5 radishes - chopped thin

sliced peppers - red, yellow or orange

sliced carrots - Julianne

sliced apples - green or red

summer berries - blueberries, strawberries or blackberries

chopped nuts - walnuts, sliced almonds or pine nuts (roasted or raw)

optional - top salad with black or white sesame seeds

optional - golden raisins

optional - sliced avocado

optional - fresh lime or lemon slices

Arrange your salad as you wish depending on whether your eating alone or serving for your family.

Dressing Options:

1. Sherry Dressing - mix 1/4 cup sherry vinegar into a small bowl with one small garlic clove minced very fine. You can use a finely chopped shallot instead if you prefer.

Add 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper and 1/2 cup good quality extra virgin olive oil.

Shake the dressing or whisk until incorporated.

Quick Tip - be sure to get a good bottle of Sherry Vinegar. It will make a huge difference. (Spain makes a good one that you can find next to Balsamic Vinegar's).

2. Lemon Garlic Dressing - Zest and juice one large lemon. Add a pinch of cayenne, as well salt and pepper. You can add a shake of garlic powder or mash one small garlic clove. Mix in 1/2 cup or more of extra virgin olive oil - shake or whisk. Taste.

Adjust your seasonings as you wish.

3) Avocado Dressing - mix 1 ripe avocado with 1/2 cup mayo, sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, 1 small bunch of chopped cilantro or parsley, 1 garlic clove mashed, 3 Tbsp. of lime juice (or apple cider vinegar) and a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper. Whisk until fully incorporated. Quick Tip - Chill before use if you prefer your mayo based dressings cold.

ENJOY!