SUMMER FUN=GOOD FOOD=GREAT SALAD

We’ve talked about summer and also about nutrition. Today, let’s put together our Italian roots and combine with summer foods and nutrition. Great idea! Let’s do a salad. Not one of those soggy green things of the past but a really great salad. Can summer fun really equal good nutrition and good taste…

In the last few years, food and recipes have evolved as rapidly as technology. Innovative, fresh, healthful combinations that taste great are now commonplace We are going to put together a few different Italian ingredients and make a great main course salad. Use a wide, shallow serving bowl for this dish, please…do not stack!! I never did like that phase.

ITALIAN SUMMER SALAD

1 15 oz can cannellini beans (I prefer imported) but any white bean is ok…

make sure to drain and rinse the beans.

1 Lg tomato (heirloom, organic preferred) seeded and diced

1 Sm red onion, fine dice

½ Cup black olives, Italian Gaeta olives preferred, pitted

(any good quality brine cured olive is ok)

½ Lb (1 or 2 links) chicken or turkey Italian sausage

2 Lg bunches arugula (10 to 12 oz bag or about 10 to 12 cups)

Vinaigrette

4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive oil

2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 Clove garlic, minced

½ Cup fresh basil, finely chopped

Salt & Pepper to taste

Whisk vinaigrette ingredients together. Store, covered in refrigerator

In bowl mix together beans, olives, tomatoes and onion with about ¼ cup of the vinaigrette. In grill pan or grill cook the sausage until cooked thoroughly (about 10 to 12 minutes). Let cool for a few minutes then slice (thin slices). In a large shallow bowl add arugula and mix with remaining vinaigrette. Arrange bean mixture in center and sausage slices around the outer perimeter of bowl. Serve with some slices of crusty Italian bread. Maybe you grilled some bread slices while you cooked the sausage!

I’d serve this with a crisp glass of Sauvignon Blanc (but that’s just me). Try making some of your own salad combinations and get healthy this summer.

Buon Appetito!