Steve’s First Step Salad

Finally, after seventy-some-odd years of talking to God morning, noon and night, MY GOD finally talked back.

He said that I needed to take better care of myself so that I could take better care of others.

Specifically, the Animal-Free Chef.

He apparently is not happy with the way humans treat his favorite creatures, the non-human animals.

His exact words were: “You all are cannibals. It disgusts me!”

I said, “Geez, I’m 78-years old, and I look like I’m 88. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”.

“What did you NOT understand about a TIA, 2 endarterectomies, 3 ablations, a cardio-conversion, a stent and a new aortic valve?”.

‘A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with One Step’.

My First Step.

Steve’s First Step Salad

Serves 6-8

SALAD:

1/2 head iceberg lettuce – broken into bite-size pieces

!/4 c. c. short stroke carrot shreds – using potato peeler

2-3 scallions about 1/3 inch cuts – it’s easier to use scissors

6 radishes, thin slice

1/2 pint red grape tomatoes, cut in half end to end

1 orange, segmented, then each segment cut in 3rds

4 oz. fresh crimini mushrooms, cleaned, tips of stems cut off and sliced thin

4 Babybel Snack Rounds (Alternative Cheese) cut into thin slices

1 light handful fresh basil leaves, stacked and cut from end to end into thin strips

2 whole wheat bread slices toasted, spread with margarine, sprinkled with black pepper, fine ground fennel seed and Shaker Parmesan by Follow Your Heart

2 T. basil oil – made using fresh basil buds, equal parts Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil placed in jar with tight-fitting lid, let set at room temperature till oil is flavored – or, use 2 T. extra virgin olive oil

WHOLLY SMASHED brand AVOCADO – about 2 T. per serving for topper

1- Prepare all salad ingredients, then place in bowl in the order, they appear in the recipe, ending with the croutons.

2- Now drizzle with basil or olive oil.

3- You can either toss or not toss. If you don’t toss, be sure to dig deep for the lettuce.

4- Place in individual serving bowls, and top each with the avocado.

Babybel tastes and textures like the dairy version – great product and we will buy them again.

Two Bottle Dressing:

You can make brand new salad dressings you can’t buy in the grocery, by using dressings you can buy in the grocery. Mix two different types bottled dressing in bowl and voila! New and wonderful! You and your esteemed guests will love them!