Zoodle Salad

I am in awe of people with authentic - spontaneous creativity.  My left brain dominated personality has a true appreciation for anything creative.  Oh, I have moments of creativity but they almost always come from a place of cognitive and deliberate intention.  What may seem to some as a creative and spontaneous new recipe is really a result of hours of thinking, planning and significant google research.  #creativebutnotspontaneous  

I've been told that to make great jambalaya - you have to open your frig - toss everything into a big pot and cook it. 😬 I have yet to make jambalaya.  🤣 I've never been one to just toss random ingredients into a bowl to see what comes out. My cooking (and my baking) is much more deliberate and intentional.  Every ingredient and spice that I add to or take away from a dish has a purpose.  ​

I may never be a spontaneous cook but I do have a compelling desire to reduce food waste which forces me to be creative.  Todays leftover chicken becomes, tomorrows chicken salad or chicken tacos.  Overripe fruit gets turned into chutney or sweet cobblers.  Unused vegetables get turned into soups, or tossed into an orzo salad or sometimes - even become their own delicious side dish.  

This Zoodle Salad recipe is a great way to use up some extra veggies or to express your creativity.  You can make all kinds of substitutions to this salad (and the dressing) and really never go wrong.  I'd love to hear from all of you creative zoodlers out there.  What delicious recipes are you coming up with for your summer veggies?

Zoodle Salad
1 zucchini, spiral sliced
​1/4 cup grape tomatoes, halved
​1/4 cup fresh corn
1 avocado, diced
1/4 cup chick peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup fresh mozzarella pearls
2 Tablespoons fresh basil
1 Tablespoon red onion, sliced then

Vinaigrette
1 Tablespoon white whine vinegar
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
​1 teaspoon honey

Spiral slice zucchini.  

Add tomatoes, corn, chick peas, basil, onion and mozzarella to zucchini.  

Stir together to combine.  Toss in avocado gently.

​Whisk together vinaigrette ingredients. 

Toss vinaigrette with zoodles and serve.

Saturday, we went to the interactive Van Gogh exhibit in Atlanta - talk about the ultimate creative thinker.  Woah! 🙃 These people that I went with - the best - and all creative in their own unique way.  🌻 

Ciao!

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