Chopped Cucumber Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

Spring is here! This gorgeous, simple salad is easy to prepare and tastes as delicious as it looks. Chopped Cucumber Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette includes avocado, red bell pepper, green onion, mandarin orange, rice wine vinegar, freshly minced ginger root, lemon zest, and cilantro.

Recipe Suggestions:

• Add canned garbanzo beans aka chickpeas! Chickpeas provide added protein, a soft crunch to the palate, and “good” carbs. Drain and rinse the beans. For a roasted flavor, spread chickpeas on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast in a 350*F oven for about 25 minutes.
• Add a little tomato! However, use roma tomatoes. Quarter them and use a pairing knife to cut out the seeds and juices. Otherwise, the salad will get overly runny with water.
• In the summertime, add a little diced seedless watermelon!
• Add cored and diced Asian pear
• Serve as a light entree or starter salad for brunch. Or, as a side dish to grilled whitefish (Recipe, Parchment Halibut)or lamb (Recipe, Lamb Chops)