When the weather gets warmer, I'm content to eat raw whole foods, but I tire of lettuce based salads and they rarely keep me full until the next meal. Here are 6 alternatives that I've made with fresh Italian cheeses and produce! If you have allergies to nuts or dairy or [gasp] don't eat bacon, my sympathies.
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| Hunks of pears, cubes of pecorino cheese, and walnuts. I drizzled just a touch of olive oil and cider vinegar on the top, or sometimes Italians serve this combo as a dessert with drizzled honey. (If you can't get your hands on pecorino, substitute real Parmigiano cheese. |
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| The reddest of tomatoes, real mozzerella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. Top with either extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar or just plain ol' salt and pepper. |
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| Spinach leaves, 2 pieces leftover breakfast bacon, pecans, and fresh strawberries. Toss with a tsp of olive oil. |
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| Fresh peaches, ricotta cheese, pine nuts, and a dash of cinnamon. |
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| Chopped fresh apple with the peel, chunks of asiago cheese, raw or toasted almonds. I threw in spinach because I had a little left, but it's hearty enough without. For this dressing, mix 1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil with 1 Tbs whole fruit apricot jam. |
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| We laugh at Italy's idea of America--whenever they offer an American pizza on the menu, it usually has corn and hot dogs on it. So we invented the "American Salad"-- which is only classified as a salad because it's served cold. ;) Boiled egg slices, sausage or hot dog slices (pre-cooked), chunky corn and bean salsa, corn chips, spinach leaves, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. |
