Antipasti Salad

I crave and adore healthy foods, especially vegetables.  Do not get me wrong - I love a gigantic cheeseburger or ice cream sundae as much as the next person; but, simmering at the soul of my culinary spirit is definitely raw, healthy food.  Thank you, Mama Suz, for raising me to enjoy ALL foods but also teaching me to truly appreciate the special value of food that is straight from the earth. 

Sidenote:  Have I mentioned before that she makes the best salads in the world?  And, if any of her children attempt to re-create them, that it is impossible?  Yes, it is true.  She throws fairy dust on top of all of her salads.

This Antipasti Salad screams "healthy food with a twist".  The addition of dry-aged salami adds a chewy, salty bite (and a little fat), the cheese brings a creamy touch, and the artichokes are full of texture and tang.  This salad is basically a perfect summer dinner, in my opinion.  One big bowl is very filling, and you can definitely enjoy an ice cream sundae afterwards. :-)

Antipasti Salad
Inspired by:  Claire Robinson's version from www.foodnetwork.com/5fix

Ingredients (serves 2):
Leafy green lettuce of your choice (romaine, spring mix, bibb, etc.)
1 jar of artichokes, drained and roughly chopped (Claire uses the jar with the oil as the dressing for the salad)
1/4 log of dry salami, chopped into bite-sized pieces (pull one from those fabulous Christmas gift baskets!)
1/4 ball of fresh mozzarella, roughly chopped into bite-sized pieces
dressing:  juice of 1 lemon, few swirls of olive oil, S & P (whisk together)

The Process:
Simply assemble your ingredients together in a bowl.  Whisk the dressing together, adjust the S & P to your taste, and drizzle on top of the salad. 

Bon Appetit!