Mediterranean Salad

Dietitians have been long-time fans of the Mediterranean diet for its heart health benefits, but a recent study published by the British Medical Journal have found new benefits for gut health, specifically for the elderly.

We decided that is a good enough reason to share with you one of our favorite Mediterranean-inspired salad recipes. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 6 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup artichoke hearts, drained
• 1/3 cup reduced sodium feta
• 1/4 cup unsalted walnuts
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 3 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1.5 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 15 oz can chick peas, drained (optional)

Directions

• Make dressing by whisking together olive oil and balsamic vinegar. (separation is normal, just mix/shake it up again before using).
• Toss together the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl.
• drizzle dressing on top as desired, and it is ready to serve!

An Extra Tip

To add a little crunch to your salad, consider roasting the chick peas! I recommend drizzling them with 1 Tbsp olive oil, dusting them with paprika and garlic salt, and roasting them on 400 degrees F in the oven for 20-30 minutes, tossing them periodically.

This is a huge salad that can easily be eaten throughout the week. To keep your salad fresh longer, keep the dressing in a separate container and drizzle it on right before you eat it.

Happy eating!