Romaine lettuce should be avoided for now, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), because the CDC has linked the romaine grown in Yuma, Arizona, to E. Coli infections. While you're avoiding romaine, how about trying some other salad ideas? How about a crunchy, creamy apple and blue cheese salad? The salad is a great alternative to standard lettuce and tomato salads, and the apple salad is filled with good-for-you ingredients. In addition to apples, the salad includes crunchy carrots and celery. The dressing gets it richness from the blue cheese, not oil. I use a combination of pumpkin seeds, sunflower kernels, and dried cranberries in the salad, but, if you'd prefer, you could substitute walnuts or pecans. The salad is great on its own, but, if you'd like to serve it atop some leafy greens, do so. Just don't put the apple salad on top of romaine for now.
Apple and Blue Cheese Salad -- Serves 4+
3 medium apples, chopped into 1/2-inch chunks
1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice
2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons of plain, fat-free yogurt
2 tablespoons of honey
1 carrot, chopped or cut into ribbons (ribbons are better--do it with the vegetable peeler)
1-2 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 cup of grapes, halved
2 tablespoons of roasted, shelled pumpkin seeds
2 tablespoons of roasted sunflower kernels
2 tablespoons of dried cranberries
2-3 tablespoons of chopped blue cheese
In a large bowl, toss the apples with the lemon juice until the apples are coated. Add the vinegar, yogurt, and honey and mix everything well. Add the remaining ingredients and stir gently to mix the salad. Serve the salad "as is" or atop non-romaine lettuce. Arugula, spinach, or other greens are great.
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