AN EASY, HEALTHY VALENTINE’S DAY DINNER ANYONE CAN MAKE
INGREDIENTS:
12 ounces romaine lettuce, sliced into 1 inch ribbons
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1 1/2 - 2 cups cucumber, peeled, sliced in half lengthwise and then sliced into 1/2 inch thick half-moons (approximately 1 medium cucumber)
1 large ripe avocado, diced into 1 inch pieces
Optional good pairings: Sweet and Spicy Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, freshly chopped mint or basil, feta or goat cheese
Cucumber Mint Dressing, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine romaine, tomatoes, cucumber, avocado and optional garnish of choice in a large mixing bowl. Add dressing to taste. Toss to coat and serve immediately. Salad will keep for 24 hours in the fridge tossed with dressing. If you don't want to eat the whole salad at once, keep dressing and avocado separate until serving.
2. A tip for keeping salad fresh in the fridge is to cover it with damp paper towels, pressed in around the edges of the greens.
CUCUMBER MINT DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds (approximately 1/2 medium cucumber)
1/4 cup plain yogurt (sub coconut milk for vegan or paleo)
1/4 cup packed fresh mint, plus more for garnish
2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt pinch black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
CUCUMBER MINT DRESSING INGREDIENTS:
1 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds (approximately 1/2 medium cucumber)
1/4 cup plain yogurt (sub coconut milk for vegan or paleo)
1/4 cup packed fresh mint, plus more for garnish
2 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon sea salt pinch black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.