“Have it Your Way” Crisp Cucumber Salad

Recipe by: Eileen M.

Ingredients:

• Generally included:
  • ½ C Cucumber, chopped
  • 1C Cherry tomatoes, sliced
  • ½ C Red Pepper, chopped
  • ¼ C Scallions or Red Onion, chopped
  • 1C Chickpeas or Cannellini Beans
  • ½ C Sliced Black Olives
• Optional:
  • 2 TBSP Hemp seeds
  • 2 TBSP Basil, Cilantro or Mint
  • ½ C Artichoke hearts (canned)
  • ¼ C Baby carrots, chopped
• Mandatory:
  • 1 head or 5ounces Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 3 TBSP Crisp Cucumber Balsamic, less or more to suit your taste

Directions:

1. Put the Romaine lettuce or your green of choice in a large salad bowl.
2. Drizzle in the Crisp Cucumber Balsamic and mix so that every piece is lightly coated. Add the remaining ingredients and gently toss.
3. If using the hemp seeds, sprinkle them on last after tossing and enjoy!

Notes:

• To make the basil ribbons, stack 5 leaves, roll tightly from bottom to top and slice from side to side. Repeat with the next 5 basil leaves.
• Don’t let the long list of ingredients deter you. Aside from some type of lettuce and the Crisp Cucumber Balsamic, any of the other ingredients can be omitted!
• This recipe follows a tried and true formula for an outstanding salad. It has something Crispy, Crunchy, Sweet, Creamy, Umami and flavor burst!