One of our favorite meals to share with others is a salad. No, not one with a choice of dressing – but a cornucopia of delicious tiny bites that make up a wonderful plate for lunch or dinner. We like to pick and choose from what looks good in the market – but you can add your own favorites to the “salad bar” as well!

Start with a bed of crunchy or beautiful fresh lettuces. Then add components like:
Roasted red peppers
Cucumbers or pickles
Green onions
Tomatoes
Chopped Eggs
Capers and olives
Goat Cheese or other shredded cheese
Peppers – sweet or Hot
Chickpeas or beans
Salmon or shrimp
Chopped roasted sweet potato or butternut squash
The list is only limited to your imagination!

And of course, a luscious choice of dressings are always important.  The one crucial component in both of these yummy dressings is the pop of the cilantro. Cilantro adds bright flavor and a wealth of nutrition benefits. Cilantro is an antimicrobial and helps pull out heavy metals from the body. It is used in many “detox” type juices and smoothies. It is also being studied as a natural water purifier.

Cilantro Vinaigrette
1/4 Cup Packed Cilantro – leaves and stems
1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
1 TB Dijon
1/2 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
Add all the ingredients to a blender and purée until smooth.

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing
3 Garlic Cloves
1 Cup Greek Yogurt
1 Cup Packed Cilantro – leaves and stems
1/4 Cup Lime Juice
1/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
Add the garlic to a food processor and chop finely. Add the remaining ingredients and purée until smooth.

Have fun with your own salad bar – Let us know what you chose to offer!