Tomato Dandelion Salad

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Low in calories with great flavor, this combination of young tender dandelion greens and fresh ripe tomatoes is a great summer salad that's quick and easy to prepare. Add goat cheese for extra protein and enjoy!

This is an easy salad to make that will complement numerous recipes as a side dish. It is especially good when tomatoes are in season and vine ripened. The combination of flavors in this dish is delicious together, and the dandelion greens add healthy benefits that make this salad special. Make sure you use young tender dandelion greens for this if they are available.

Prep and Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4

Ingredients:
• 1/2 medium sized onion, cut in half and sliced thin
• 2 TBS light vinegar (such as apple cider, rice, or white wine)
• 1 cup hot water
• 2 large red ripe tomatoes
• 3 cups chopped young dandelion greens
• 2 TBS fresh basil cut into large pieces
• 1 oz crumpled Chevre goat cheese (optional)

Dressing:
• 1-1/2 TBS balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp coarse cracked black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil to taste

Directions:
1. Thinly slice onion and place in a small bowl. Pour 2 TBS light vinegar and 1 cup hot water over onions and marinate while making rest of salad.
2. Whisk together dressing ingredients adding oil at end a little at a time.
3. Rinse and chop dandelion greens. Place in basket of a salad spinner, rinse and spin dry. Toss dandelion greens with 2/3 of the dressing.
4. Cut tomatoes in half crosswise and squeeze out juice. Cut into quarters, remove inner pulp and slice. Place on greens.
5. Squeeze dry marinated onions and lay on top of sliced tomatoes and greens. Drizzle the rest of the dressing over tomatoes, onion and top with basil and goat cheese if desired.

Healthy Cooking Tips:
This salad is great with the dandelion greens if they are young and tender. Older greens are usually too bitter for most people. If young dandelion is not available, use mixed salad greens instead. Keep this salad in mind to try whenever you have the good fortune to run across young dandelion.