Greek Vegetable Salad with Homemade Greek Vinaigrette
Without thinking too much about it on Sunday, I registered for a half marathon. I have been thinking lately about getting back into running a few road races, possibly a half marathon but I have really been trying to wrap my mind around that kind of mileage again. It’s been a looooong time, my friends, a long time since my legs have had that kind of endurance. We are talking 13 miles here. 13.1 to be exact.
Friday night Paul and I were out and about, running a few errands and we stopped off at a sporting goods store. I’ve been really needing new running shoes for a while so I ended up buying a new pair. I had a great walk/run on Saturday morning and Saturday night I had a dream about running a race. I got out of bed, did a quick search and found a half marathon in September. I thought about it for less than 5 minutes before filling out the registration form and submitting it.
And then I sat and bit my nails for 10 minutes before pulling out my old training plans and weight lifting programs. Time to get serious! I am as excited as I am nervous. I have 14 weeks to be ready and training has already started – slowly – but it’s started.
I can already feel myself craving salad – big salads full of veggie and homemade dressings exactly like this one! This is the kind of salad that makes you just feel healthy by eating it!
I made this and shared it for our Memorial Day cookout at Paul’s mom and dad’s house and I think it was a big hit. I always prefer to make a homemade dressing for salads and this one is so simple and so flavorful and the thing I love most about this salad is that you can use any veggies you have on hand. I had garden-fresh asparagus and tomatoes, a bell pepper and broccoli and threw in some artichoke hearts and olives – but feel free to sub in anything you like.
Greek Vegetable Salad with Homemade Greek Vinaigrette
Yield: 4 (main dish); 10 (side dish)
Total Time: 30 min
Quick and simple salad loaded with fresh summer veggies and a simple homemade Greek vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
For the Greek vinaigrette:
1/3 cup STAR Fine Foods California Olive Oil
1/4 cup STAR Fine Foods Red Wine Vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. fresh oregano, chopped
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepperFor the vegetables:
1 1/2 pounds broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into small pieces
1 jar (14.75 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained & roughly chopped
1 can (5.75 oz.) black olives, halved
6 oz. grape tomatoes
4 oz. feta cheese crumbles
1/4 cup toasted pine nutsDirections:
To make the vinaigrette:
Combine all dressing ingredients in a dressing cruet or jar with a lid and mix well. Adjust salt, pepper and sugar to taste.To prepare the veggies:
Bring about 3 cups of water to a simmer in a shallow pan. Add the broccoli and asparagus and cook for 60-90 seconds, just until crisp-tender. Drain and move to an ice bath to stop the cooking. After about 5 minutes, drain from the ice bath and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in the bell pepper, artichoke hearts, olives, and tomatoes. Stir well until the vegetables are evenly distributed. Add in the feta cheese and stir well.Pour about half of the dressing on and stir well (I used tongs) to distribute the dressing, repeat. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Stir in the pine nuts just before serving.
Cassie's Notes:
For added protein, grill or pan-fry simply seasoned chicken breasts, cube them, and add to the salad before serving.Recipe developed for STAR Fine Foods.
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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by STAR Fine Foods. As always, all opinions are my own.
Congrats on the decision to sign up for the race! As an avid runner, I ALWAYS find that I feel my best when I’m training for a big race. The salad looks wonderful, I’ll have to add this to my list of healthy training meals!
I love everything about this salad, but I think my favorite part is the artichokes. Mmmmmm
I love all of the fresh vegetables in here-looks fabulous! I agree, I like to make my own dressings for salads too. So easy and adds such great flavor!
I am loving the sound of this vinaigrette!
Good luck with the race!! I am not a runner, but that sounds fun!!
This salad is beautiful! I love all the veggies and greek food is my favorite!
That is awesome that you registered Cassie! I am coming back from an injury and have been dreaming of doing a half, but haven’t taken the plunge. You have me inspired!
And this salad: love the colors, flavors, and Greek everything. WANT for lunch today!
Woo! Go Cassie! Good luck with your training!
You are going to rock that half marathon! I am so excited for you:) And this salad, to die for. I need more greens in my life:)
You are brave, my friend. I’ve gotta say, I’m inspired. I’ve been doing a 2 mile run/walk most mornings lately and could probably pull off a 5K but am terrified of the thought. But maybe I’ll look for one nearby later today…. Love the salad! Anything with feta makes me happy!
Whoo hoo! Way to go on the half marathon! You will feel so great after that accomplishment. About every 3 years I do a marathon or half and then take a long break.
Good luck in the half, Cassie! IT’s such a great motivation to really push your body. I know you can do it, you seem to have the willpower and determination! So excited for you.
This salad looks fantastic, especially that vinaigrette. So good!
Yay!!! I registered for both of my halfs without much thought too lol. Adds to the excitement! I love the motivation new running kicks give you!! Good luck with training, you’ll do awesome.
This salad? Yes yes yes!!!
This salad is beautiful! These are some of my favorite flavors to eat.
Good luck with your training plan, you will do great!
I run almost 5 miles every day, but for some reason the idea of 13.1 seems so out of reach. Some day. Go you! I love that you registered. And the salad!
I miss running! One of these days I’ll get back into it.
In the meantime, I’ll settle for this awesome salad I guess.
Love this salad is just all veggies, and my favorite Med style flavors too. Wish I was a runner, I was always more of a sprinter in HS track. I could do a marathon if it was all downhill. Well, maybe.
Nothing like registering and paying that money for a half to get your butt in gear, right? 😉 Good luck! After 3 half marathons, I think I’ve officially lost the desire to get back up to that kind of mileage again, haha. But there’s not greater sense of accomplishment than crossing that finish line 🙂
That’s great that you’ve got a goal to work towards! I’ve never done a half but am signed up to do a Tough Mudder in a few months and I’m nervous. I need to eat healthier and crank up the workouts, and this salad is the perfect thing. I love eating like this!
I could eat this salad every day of my life!!!! Right up my alley. Congrats again on the race!!
Congrats on signing up! You’ll have a blast – there’s always such a sense of accomplishment afterward!!! I’ll have to make this salad – looks YUM!!! =) Good luck on your training!
Go Cassie! If I lived anywhere near you I would totally have come and root you on.
And I adore this salad, especially the homemade dressing.
Good luck on your race! I admire you, I’ve never been much of a runner. My husband loves it, me not so much. I’ll take Barre over running any day 🙂 But this salad on the other hand looks amazing and perfect for summer dinners outside.
BIG congrats for your upcoming 1/2!! All the best, and loooove this salad!
You’re going to rock that half marathon!! Way to go Cassie. And this will be perfect training food. 🙂
I always crave big hearty salads when I’m training & long distance running! And I just made a greek salad this week too….we’re on the same wave-length!! Fun meeting you at Blogher!
I love Greek salad, this looks so good! You will rock that race! 🙂
I cant even run around the block without turning around so major points to you! This is one good looking salad and makes eating healthier so much easier.
Yay on the half marathon! Jason and I are contemplating doing a 10K in December so I’m slowly starting to run again, which has been great. It’s so much better than being indoors in a sweaty gym.
And I’m totally loving this salad. I have not been able to do much clean eating ever since Jason moved back home so yeah, definitely need this in my life, stat!
My gosh, your salad is PACKED with delicious ingredients! I love salads that have all sorts of textures and goodies and pretty much anything and everything Greek is fine by me. I’ve never made a Greek vinaigrette and now I’m excited to try it out!!
Go Cassie!!!! You rock, lady! And so does this salad. As you know, I’m all about the Greek flavors 😉 xo
This salad looks so good!
This is absolutely perfect for my July 4th party, Cassie! Thanks for sharing!
Cassie, this Greek Salad is pure gorgeousness! So delicious, easy and perfect for a light summer meal. Also, I have the same little oil pourer! I think it’s in my post today actually!
So exciting that you are going to run a half! Good for you!!
This salad looks right up my alley, and homemade dressings really are the best.
I love how colorful this is, Cassie! Best of luck with the marathon!
Gorgeous, bright salad! Dressing sounds delicious, too! 🙂
LOVE all the flavors and colors in this salad 🙂
What a great and healthy summer salad and good for you for taking the plunge with the half marathon Cassie! I need new running shoes too and was just doing some research last night!
Love this–I was just telling my husband that I need to make more salads! Good luck with the half marathon, too! 🙂
I have been debating about doing another 1/2 as well. but I am not quite as motivated as you! Good luck in your training, I am not sure I could deal with training in the summer heat. Hoping maybe next spring I will give in and sign up for one 🙂
Salad looks great for summer!
I absolutely could not be more excited for you!! Having an end goal makes running so much more fun, I think. And it definitely makes you crave some healthier food like this salad! What a fabulous combination of flavors and ingredients!
Whoa, I think I could live off this salad! Love that it’s chock full of wonderful veggies! Good luck with your training~
This salad looks majorly satisfying! I have got to make this soon, it looks too good!