Comfort Food Mondays - The Big Salad

As promised, I'm back with another recipe. Two days late, but I don't see that as any reason to change the title...

I don't know how your winter's going, but mine seems to be an unending opportunity for rich, gooey, fatty foods.

First there was Christmas and New Years. Then we had Pancake Tuesday and Valentine's Day. Looking ahead, I see St. Patrick's Day and Easter. I'm not complaining, at all. But sometimes I just crave a great big crunchy salad.

If you're feeling the same way, haul out your biggest bowl. A mixing bowl works just fine if you don't have a dedicated salad bowl.

Pick up a bunch of fresh mixed greens from the market. To make them go further, you can mix in some chopped up romaine or iceberg lettuce. Then just open up the fridge and see what you've got.

We like to grate up carrot, beets, daikon if it's there. Chopped up cabbage works, too. Sliced red onion if you like it. Celery and peppers, too.

Then look through your supply of dried fruit - raisins, currants, cranberries. Sundried tomatoes.

Nuts and seeds work well, too. Sunflower seeds, roasted pumpkin seeds, cashews.

Diced or grated apple adds a nice flavour. As do clementine segments.

Just keep adding crunchy, healthy yummy ingredients until the bowl is full.

We don't use store-bought dressing. It's just so easy to make your own.

It's just two parts extra-virgin olive oil to one part red wine or balsamic vinegar. Or you could use lemon juice, if you prefer. A teaspoon of Dijon or grainy mustard. For a bit of mellow richness, add a drizzle of toasted sesame oil. Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix it up and pour it over your salad just before serving. Toss well and eat it all up, knowing that you're doing yourself a whole lot of good!