::RECIPE:: Flann's Antipasto Salad

I'm this close (see me pinching my fore finger and thumb together?) to taking The 100 Days of Real Food Pledge.  Have you heard about this?  We went through a phase last year where we ate really, really clean.  No sugar, nothing white, whole grain everything, high in proteins, green, etc.  (That means you Mr. Twizzlers and Ms. Starburst Jelly Beans.  

So now I am feeling kinda sorta settled from our move which means it's kinda sorta time to rethink about the I-am-in-the-process-of-a-move-so-I-can-eat-whatever-I-want diet.  You know the one, right?  The one that pops at the holidays, summer vacation, etc.

This is Day 1 of getting back on the horse.  Or, at least beginning the I-am-almost-ready-to-take-the-100-day-challenge lifestyle change. Is white wine a clean food?

Flann's Antipasto Salad

(I'm no purist, so don't expect authentic, just good.)

1 green pepper, chopped

1 cucumber, peeled & chopped

1 small jar of marinated artichokes, chopped

1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted & chopped

1/2 cup grape tomatoes

1 small shallot, diced

1/2 cup salami

1/4 cup parmesan, shaved 

(just use a veggie peeler if you don't have a cheese shaver thingymajig)

1/4 cup basil, cut in a chiffonade

Mix all of your veggies together with the salami.

Drizzle with any vinaigrette you want (balsamic or red wine vinegar will do), any amount you are willing to consume. 

Honestly, though, the ingredients do some serious talking for themselves so it doesn't need a lot of dressing.

Top with basil & parmesan.

And definitely feel free to overdo it on the parmesan.  I mean, cheese is a protein, right?

Seriously?  It takes next to no dishes, tons of protein and veggies and loaded with flavor and color.  Isn't it pretty?

Oh, and substitute with what you've got in your fridge & pantry.  Some other ideas would be: red onion, red pepper, green olives, different cheeses like feta or goat.  Ooohhh...what about some other herbs like mint?  

Enjoy!