Apricot Feta Green Salad

Enjoy creamy feta cheese and lightly-sweet apricots balanced by tender spring mix, crunchy romaine and toasted walnuts.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried apricots soaked for 30 minutes in 2 cups hot water (or 3 fresh apricots)
1 cup organic grape cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 medium cucumber, thinly sliced
Apricot balsamic vinaigrette (recipe below)
1 head organic heart of romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces
5-oz package organic spring mix
1/2 LB feta cheese (cow or sheep milk), crumbled
6 slices nitrite-free bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
1/2 cup shelled walnuts (pieces are okay), toasted
Prepare Apricot Balsamic Vinaigrette (see recipe below).

How to Prepare:

Cut re-hydrated dried apricots into thin strips (or seed and quarter the fresh apricots). In a medium bowl, gently toss the tomato halves, onion and cucumber with the vinaigrette. Drain most of the vinaigrette into a large salad bowl.*

Add the romaine and spring mix to the vinaigrette in the large bowl with the apricot pieces, feta and bacon, if using. Toss until thoroughly coated. Arrange tomatoes, onion and cucumber on top of salad. Sprinkle with toasted walnuts and serve immediately.