The Ultimate Italian -Greek Salad!

The Italian version of Greek Salad! To start off the new year for 2015 we are going to mix up some
exciting twists of your classic favorites. "You ready?"
The Italian- Greek Salad!

3 Persian cucumbers  shaved or chopped
1/2 cup of black Greek Olives
1 cup chopped red bell pepper and green bell pepper
6 Julianned sun dried tomatoes
 Fresh Mozzarella balls or Fresh crumbled Sheep or Feta Cheese
sprig of fresh basil leaves
dash of fresh oregano or parsley
dash sea salt & pepper
2 shallots chopped
1 tbsp chopped garlic optional
1/4 cup pepperonis

Traditional Dressing:
1 cup Olive Oil
2/3 cup Balsamic vinegar
dash of salt & pepper
dash of garlic powder
1 tbsp. of fresh lemon juice

New Italian Twist Dressing:
add Basil Pesto Dressing
2 cups fresh basil leaves
1 clove of garlic finely chopped
2/3 cup Olive Oil your favorite Extra Virgin is always great to use
dash sea salt & pepper to taste
dash of garlic powder optional
1/2 cup of Pecorino Toscano Cheese,  or  Grana Padano cheese. 
1/4 cup pine nuts or cashews nuts are optional to save calories & your waist line
dash cayenne pepper optional 
Add ingredients to blender or food processor and slowly add oil as you mix

PARTY IDEAS:
cut fresh bell pepper top and use as salad bowl
or
roast the red and yellow peppers in oven till golden for 25 minutes 375 degrees in oven
Open top of peppers and put salad inside
serve on tray

Carrot & Zucchini Skinny Salad with Ginger Pomegranate Dressing

Serve more salads & vegetables with meals to create a more slimming meal experience For The New Year 2015.
Carrot & Zucchini Veggie Lovers Skinny Salad:

2 cups thinly sliced strips of carrots-match box style like thin angel hair pasta or shaved thin
2 cups thinly sliced strips or shaved thin Zucchini cut same as above
2 cups fresh green beans OPTIONAL for veggie lovers or  thinly sliced shoe string Cucumbers
6-8 grape tomatoes
4 sprigs of fresh mint
2 sprigs of thyme optional for flavor kick
2 chopped up chives
1/2 red onion chopped optional
dash of sea salt and pepper
1 tbsp. chopped garlic optional
dash Cayenne pepper optional

Protein Option:
White beans
Pan Seared Salmon
2 tbsp Fresh grated Parmesan Cheese sprinkled on top of salad

Ginger POMEGRANATE Dressing
1 cup olive oil   (Optional to use)
2/3 cup pomegranate balsamic vinegar   (Balsamic vinegar with fresh squeezed Pomegranate juice drained from seeds and dash of lemon juice.)
1 tsp garlic powder
dash sea salt and pepper
1 tbsp chopped fresh ginger
dash of real vanilla