Heart-Healthy Mediterranean Salad

Every ingredient in this luscious meal-size salad helps reduce your risk of heart disease. This salad is jam-packed with healthy fats and antioxidants. Enjoy it with a glass of deep red wine.

Makes two 2 1/2 c. servings.

Salad
4 c. mixed leafy greens, washed and torn into bite-size pieces, loosely packed 
½ small red onion, thinly sliced
1 tomato, sliced
¼ c. black olives
4 quarters, marinated artichoke hearts
¼ c. walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. fresh herbs such as basil, tarragon, marjoram  

Basic Vinaigrette
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 T. balsamic vinegar
1 clove of crushed garlic
Freshly-cracked black pepper to taste 

If you like, replace the garlic and pepper with a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Mustard adds great flavor without added fat. Or substitute 2 tsp. of freshly squeezed lemon juice for the vinegar.

•    In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together.
•    Prepare the salad ingredients, place in a large bowl.
•    Dress with vinaigrette, toss and serve.

Nutritional Information per Serving (2 ½ c.): 400 calories, 6 g protein, 14 g carbohydrates, 37 g fat (5 g saturated) , 0 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 275 mg sodium.