“To make a good salad is to be a brilliant diplomatist. The problem is entirely the same in both cases – to know how much oil one must mix with one’s vinegar.” Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)

Back in the ’70s and late ’80s I used to get a great salad at Leon’s Deli in Raleigh’s Cameron Village shopping center. Leon’s was a great little place located next to the Village’s Professional Barber Shop and where Quiznos is now. Leon’s had wonderful Reubens and other deli sandwiches that were out of this world, but my favorite item on the menu was the green garden salad (at least I think that’s what it was called.) I’ve been making this particular rendition of the salad for years and absolutely love it, especially in the summer when the veggies are at their freshest.

Ingredients (2 small or 1 large serving)

• 6 oz. of 2% low fat cottage cheese
• ½ cup diced cucumber
• ½ cup diced tomato
• 1/3 cup diced radishes
• ¼ cup finely chopped spring onions (I use both the white and green parts)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Seasoned salt and ground pepper to taste
• Sour cream, low fat ( optional garnish)
• Fresh chives (optional garnish)

Place the cottage cheese in a bowl. Fold in the vegetables. Add the vinegar and mix. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least one hour so that the ingredients to meld together.

Place salad on a plate and add a good spoonful of low fat sour cream and sprinkle with fresh chives (this is one of the herbs that I like to have in my garden as mentioned in my previous “grow your own” post.)

I like to serve this with Keebler’s reduced fat club crackers or captain’s wafers. This is a low fat, tasty salad that is easy to make and also good for you!

Please let me know if you ate at Leon’s – I would love to hear your memories of this great deli.

Bon appétit!

Eat, drink, and be merry!