Chopped Italian Salad

For as long as I can remember,

I've always loooooooved salads.

And what's even better,

is when I can make a salad a whole meal!

Awhile ago I blogged about Giant Salads

that I make and eat for lunch often.

They're always filling and I love eating them. 

In fact - I'm planning to have them this week.

But today...

I want to tell you ALL about a super easy and incredibly tasty

CHOPPED ITALIAN SALAD!!!

The Goods:

Romaine Lettuce

Salami

Mozzarella

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Red Onion

Garbanzo Beans

Artichoke Hearts

Kalamata Olives

Peppernchini

Lemon

Italian Dressing

Chop up your lettuce, salami, mozzarella, tomatoes, cucumbers, 

red onion, artichoke heart, kalamata olives and peppernchini.

Put in a large bowl, add dressing and fresh lemon juice.

Toss to combine and serve in a large bowl.

That's it!!!

I decided I needed something besides salad,

so I made up a batch of the yummy rolls featured in this post!

Grain Greek Salad

One of my go-to lunches (and favorite lunches in fact) is a Greek Salad grain mixture. You can use any grain you'd like - but I tend to prefer quinoa and have recently decided I liked the combination of quinoa and Israeli couscous. The vegetable chopping takes a little time, but I always make a BIG batch and get to enjoy the salad all week! It's so easy once it's made and I'm full for hours after eating it. 

Take a look at the salad making process and you'll be amazed at how simple AND delicious it is!

The Goods:

Quinoa

Israeli Couscous

Olive Oil

Balsamic Vinegar

Lemon

Salt

Cherry/Grape Tomatoes

Persian Cucumbers

Green Onions

Feta

Kalamata Olives

Cook the grains...

Israeli Couscous

And Quinoa for me!

Chop the Cucumbers

Chop the Green Onions

Chop the Tomatoes

Chop the Olives

(I ran out of Kalamata so used Green Queen ones too!)

Add the Feta! 

And the Quinoa.

And FINALLY the Israeli Couscous.

Toss it all together with fresh squeezed lemon juice, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Add a little salt for flavor if necessary. 

The finished product! 

This salad can be eaten alone, or enjoyed on a bed of mixed greens tossed in fresh lemon juice as I usually do!

Grab some spring mix.

Toss it with more fresh squeezed lemon juice.

And add the mixed grain salad on top!

Dig in and enjoy!!!

YUM!