Amazing 9 layer Garden Salad-Explored 2X

I know I know this isn't what you usually get from me but I felt compelled to share this fresh,nutritious colorful fresh salad with you.

 

I'm a true believer that food should look as wonderful as it tastes,presentation is important as well as flavor! This can be a meal in itself here at our home in the hot summer months...

 

This is all garden fresh other than the cheese and bacon sprinkled on top.

Ingredients are 'fresh Romaine ,organic veggies- if at all possible straight from the garden if possible! You can of course change the ingredients to suit your tastes.

 

1 large Vidalia onion ( we are soooo blessed here in the South

to have these incredible" sweet "onions at our disposal in the summer months and believe me if you EVER have one you will never go back to anything else and like it!)

LOL....

 

1 package of Romaine Salad those with 3 hearts are perfect if your don't have fresh available

 

1 large Red bell peppers(chopped) ,

 

1-16 oz package frozen "Baby" sweet peas (so sweet and tender.)

Put these into a strainer run cold water over them to thaw and remove ice,do not cook!

 

6 boiled eggs chopped fine

 

6 to 8 oz of grated cheese (I use Colby and Jack) or what ever suits your fancy..

 

1 package of maple flavored or brown sugar- bacon,

fried strained and crumbled.

 

Now the best part is the home made dressing....

 

" Homemade Dressing"

1- 16 oz tub of Greek yogurt( I use Okinos organic and love the extra thick texture along with NO artificial ingredients!)

 

I remove one half of a cup .4 oz of the yogurt and add homemade mayonnaise.( the original recipe called for two cups of mayo (YUCK! ).tooo many BAD OILS. ....

 

Finely Chop up 1 tablespoon chives and 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley.add salt to taste and pepper also 1 teaspoon honey to balance flavors.Mix this all well together with your yogurt and mayo,set aside,

Now if you have a large glass bowl this will be wonderfully displayed !

 

Start with chopped Romaine on the bottom layer,at least 1 inch thick.

 

next the wonderful chopped onions,

 

next your chopped peppers,

 

next another layer of salad

 

then your chopped eggs,

 

next your strained sweet peas(uncooked).

 

Now you pour your dressing over the peas making sure the layers are presented all the way to the very edge, this helps keep your dressing from sinking all the way down the bowl.then your finely shredded cheese ,last your bacon crumbles and just for presentation,I saved the stem from the pepper to put into the middle as the finial ...lol

complete salad...

 

When you get ready to serve and your guests are through ohhhing and awhing mix all ingredients together and serve... I promise there wont be anything left !!!

ENJOY!

Explored twice in two days!

 

Done