I Hearts of Palm Salad

After the gym the other day I just wanted a light dinner so I threw together this salad from items in the house. I like it when my salad is easy to eat and there isn't this huge piece of lettuce that you have to somehow stuff in your mouth (and still look like your not stuffing your mouth) so I use a knife to chop the whole head of lettuce into lettuce strips. 

There is no "recipe" I just go with how much of each item i want/ have for each particular meal. You like less zucchini? put less- just go with how you feel.

• Chopped Lettuce
• Heart of Palm (1 can, salad cut)
• Chopped tomatoes
• Handful of Green olives
• Julienne Zucchini
• Cooked Lemon Pepper Chicken, sliced
• Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette

 
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Get out your chicken breast, pat with a paper towel to get off all moisture, sprinkle some Lemon Pepper seasoning on both sides. (Don't have Lemon-Pepper Seasoning? Instead zest one whole lemon and about half teaspoon of black pepper- make sure the mixture is 2:1 Lemon to Pepper or it might turn out too peppery.) Spray your cooking spray and set your pan on a medium heat. Once heated, saute each side of the chicken for about 4-5 minutes until cooked through- juices should run clear. Set aside for a few minutes while you are finishing the rest of the salad, then cut at the bias into strips or bite-size chucks. 

• Aprx. 1 lb. Boneless Skinless Thin Chicken Breast (I get the thin so it cooks faster)
• Lemon-Pepper Seasoning
  OR
• Lemon Zest of one Lemon
• Freshly Grated Pepper

 
Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette
This is a basic vinaigrette, but I added my own little twist becuase I LOVE the flavor of sun dried tomatoes.  Please remember the ratio of oil to acid (vinegar or lemon juice) should be about 3:1.

•  1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
•  1 tsp. Lemon juice
•  5 sun dried tomatoes, minced
•  1/4 c. red wine vinegar
•  salt and pepper
•   1/4 c. Sun dried Tomato oil (this is the oil from your jar of sun dried tomatoes)
•  1/2 c.  Olive Oil (maybe more according to your taste)

Whisk together the mustard, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, sun dried tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, while whisking drizzle in both oils until blended. Then taste! You might need to add more salt or pepper or if its too tart you might have to add more oil. Too oily? Add more lemon juice or vinegar.

Its one tasty salad!