The Most Perfectly Delicious Salad You'll Ever Eat!

The Ventura County Salad

(aka The Most Perfectly Delicious Salad You’ll Ever Eat!)

As many of you know, we are very blessed to live in an incredibly agriculturally rich area! You can’t go very far around here before you run into a roadside farm stand, and hardly a day goes by when there is not a Farmer’s Market taking place somewhere nearby. Ventura County oranges, avocados and strawberries are some of the best in the world. They are harvested and sold to buyers all over the country. The best part is that all of this incredible stuff is in season right now!  It was this fresh, local produce that inspired this mouth-watering, tastebud-awakening creation, which is dedicated to all the hardworking farmers across this land who provide us with this delectable bounty! As my kids say in the car as we drive past the farms, "Thank you farmworkers!"

Serves 2-4
1 head butter lettuce or 1 package mixed baby greens
2 oranges, rind cut off, fruit cut into small pieces
½ large avocado, cut into small chunks
10-12 medium-size strawberries, sliced
1 Persian cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, and sliced into half moons
¼ cup pistachios, coarsely chopped
½ cup quinoa, cooked and cooled (or could use brown rice instead)
Dressing
1 green onion, thinly sliced (green parts only)
2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, finely minced
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
Pinch of salt and a few grinds of fresh black pepper

1. Place the 1st seven ingredients (lettuce through quinoa) in a large salad bowl.
2. In a small jar, (with a tightly fitting lid) combine the dressing ingredients. Close the lid tightly and shake to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
3. Pour desired amount of dressing on the salad (a little goes a long way) and toss.
4. Plate and serve. Or if you’re alone, just grab a fork and dive in!
Enjoy!