Chopped salad with homemade vinaigrette

Okay, friends - it doesn't get much simpler than this right here.  And it is as delicious or more delicious (according to my hubby) than any salad you'll get at a restaurant.  The best part?  You can customize it to your taste and include all the family favorites.  I'll give you the framework and you can run with it.  This will be a HIT at your next dinner party or picnic.  And in the meantime it will become one of your favorite salads to whip up for lunch or dinner.  Enjoy!

Happy Cooking!
Sarah

Chopped Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
4-5 cups (or large hand fulls) of mixed greens, such as spring mix and romaine, or your favorite lettuce
1/2 cup of garbanzo beans (you can use any bean you prefer)
1 medium sized carrot, shredded with a vegetable peeler
1/4 cup sliced black and green olives
1/2 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
3 hard boiled eggs, sliced up
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, or your favorite crumbly cheese such as feta or goat cheese
1 recipe of the homemade vinaigrette listed below
****all of the above ingredients are optional - use your favorite healthy salad toppings and veggies.  This salad serves 2 for lunch or dinner

Homemade Vinaigrette:
1 T white wine vinegar
2 T olive oil
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, begin by whisking together the vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper until well combined.  Slowly add the olive oil while you continually whisk, which allows the dressing to emulsify.   Set aside while preparing the veggies (cutting, slicing, and dicing).  

Once you are ready to eat, add the veggies, lettuce, and other salad toppings to the dressing and toss until well combined.  I don't add the eggs until the very end....I don't like the yolk to go all over the place but that's a personal preference.  Like I said earlier, make this your own and make it how ever you like it.  Eat up and enjoy!