Everyday or Company's Coming . . . Marinated Veggie Salad

     Today it was a simple, everyday salad for just Barry and me. But with a few additions, this salad can easily be dressed up for company. It’s a great way to add raw veggies to your diet and add variety to the daily (or company) fare. Also, good for pot-luck dinners.

     And on a humorous note, every time I either read or write a reference to "dressing" a salad, it reminds me of a joke our niece, Erin, told us several years ago. 

Q. Why did the tomato blush? A. Because he saw the salad, dressing!

Everyday Marinated Veggie Salad 

Vary amounts according to the number of servings or, vary ingredients based on available vegetables.

Italian salad dressing (clear, not creamy)

1 spoonful or so of ranch-style dressing mix  

¼ of a small red onion, thinly sliced 

3 to 4 large mushrooms, sliced

12 grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

Spinach or red leaf lettuce

1.  Combine Italian salad dressing and ranch dressing mix.

2.  Pour over veggies, except spinach or lettuce, that have been combined in a storage container.

Prepared veggies for a simple version of the marinated salad.

Veggies have been dressed and are go in the fridge for marinate for several hours.

3.  Stir and cover; chill for several hours.

4.  Spoon onto a spinach or lettuce-lined salad plate or serving bowl.

Company’s Coming Marinated Veggie Salad  12 to 14 servings

Add all of the suggested extras or adjust to your own taste . . .

1 (8 oz.) bottle Italian salad dressing

1 (0.4 oz.) envelopes ranch-style dressing mix  

4 medium zucchini, thinly sliced

½ to ¾  of a small red onion, thinly sliced 

8 oz. pkg. of button mushrooms, sliced

About 24 grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise or use about 4 oz. of diced pimientos or jarred red peppers, drained

2 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained & halved (packed in liquid)

1 (6 oz.) can pitted ripe olives, drained

1 (6 oz.) can bamboo shoots, drained

1.  Combine Italian salad dressing and ranch dressing mix.

2.  Pour over veggies, except spinach or lettuce, that have been combined in a storage container.

3.  Stir and cover; chill for several hours.

4.  Spoon onto a spinach or lettuce-lined salad plate or serving bowl.