Summertime Salad with Turkey and Fresh Fruit and Nuts

Summer evenings can be warm and lazy.  Instead of cooking why not try having a protein rich salad for dinner.  Lots of fiber, lots of potassium, lots of good flavors and zero stove time.  Here’s a recipe that makes more than enough for two to share:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces of Turkey Lunch Meat Sliced in strips or chopped, your preference
• 3 cups Field Greens
• 3 cups Baby Spinach
• 1 cup of Sliced Strawberries or 1 Medium Nectarine Sliced (I peel the nectarine)
• 1 Medium Peach Sliced (I peel the peach)
• 1 cup Sliced Cucumber (I peel it)
• 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (I cut them in half)
• 1 cup Grated Carrot
• 1/2 cup Sliced Avocado (1/2 of a Small Avocado)
• 10 Grapes Sliced in Half (I use Seedless Red Grapes for both color and flavor)
• 2 tablespoons of Gorgonzola Cheese Crumbles
• 7 Almonds (I buy toasted, unsalted, slivered almonds)
• Balsamic Vinegar to taste

Directions:

• In a large bowl toss together the field greens, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes and carrots
• Separate into two serving size bowls or plates
• Top each bowl with grapes, peach, nectarine or strawberries (whichever you choose), avocado, turkey, gorgonzola cheese and almonds
• Add balsamic vinegar to taste (I frequently add no dressing of any sort to this.  The fruit serves to make it “wet” enough to enjoy without dressing)

Nutrition:  Each serving is approximately

• 400 calories
• 30 grams protein

Pro-Tip:  You can change the fruit and nuts around.  I frequently use apples, pears, blueberries or raspberries and walnuts.  The nutrition values will, of course, vary depending on the fruits or nuts used.