Salads – Farmers Market Salad

Farmers Market Salad
Take your kids for a trip to the local farmers market once in a while. There, they can learn first hand about fresh naturally grown foods. Luscious heirloom tomatoes, giant cucumbers, bright yellow ears of corn, colorful bell peppers, sweet carrots and mixed salad greens – all waiting to be taken home to be tossed together and sprinkled with a favorite dressing.

♥ Use a lower fat vinaigrette dressing with less oil than a regular salad dressing

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 large heirloom tomato, diced into bite-sized pieces
1/2 medium cucumber, diced into bit-sized pieces
1 ear yellow or white corn, husk and silk removed
1 small sweet red pepper, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 bunch baby carrots, washed and diced into bite-sized pieces
2 cups mixed salad greens, washed and torn into pieces
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing, or to taste (see recipe below)

Wash and dry all salad ingredients. Prepare tomato, cucumber, red pepper, carrots and salad greens as directed. Lightly steam the corn and let cool. Remove corn kernels from the husk. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette dressing to taste.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing:

Makes about 1 cup

Ingredients:
2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. light brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Black pepper to taste
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Mix everything but the oils together in a small bowl. Slowly pour in oils. Whisk until blended.