4th of July BBQ Healthy Side Dish!

The 4th of July is notorious for BBQ and the "fatty" dishes that go along with it. 

Why not lighten things up this year? 

Don't forget...healthy food DOES taste great!

 One of my favorites growing up was this 7 layer 24 hour salad that my mom used to make with tons of mayonnaise and bacon!  SO - I decided to lighten it up a bit and add a few more veggies to the mix and swap out the iceburg lettuce (not much nutritional value) for some fresh organic romiane...mmmmm good!

10 Layer 24 Hour Salad

Serves: 10-12 (party size)
Prepare this salad the day before so it can sit overnight.
Layer the following in a large, deep salad bowl in this order:

• 3 organic romaine hearts, washed and cut into bit sized pieces (about 6 cups)
• 1 large organic red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup chopped organic celery OR jicima
• 1 cup shredded organic carrots
• 8 scallions (green onion), chopped
• DRESSING (see recipe below)
• 8 slices crisp bacon or turkey bacon (healthier), crumbled
• 1&1/2 cups Feta cheese, crumbled OR reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 Roma tomatoes, chopped or 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup frozen green peas OR edamame (NOT thawed)

Layer - cover - refrigerate overnight (minimum of 12 hours) - toss when ready to serve.


Dressing

• 1 cup plain, non-fat Greek style yogurt
• 1/2 cup low fat organic mayonnaise (I like the Trader Joe's brand - no additives)
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp agave nectar
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp granulated garlic
• 1/2 tsp sea salt or kosher salt
• freshly ground pepper, to your liking
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh organic chives (can also use other herbs such as basil or tarragon for a little twist!)

Have some fun with this recipe...add and subtract veggies and/or herbs in the dressing...create your own variations and then share your results here!