Momo Burns' Salad

Pardon my blogging hiatus, aside from starting a new job with an AMAZING company full of awesome people and partying for a week straight in February while the Super Bowl was in town, my family had a minor set back and I really haven't been in the kitchen for months.  Thank goodness Indy is full of great restaurants and I have an amazing cook for a boyfriend!

Starting about a month ago, my Father had a crazy case of high blood sugar that not only got him a fancy ride on a helicopter, but also landed him in a medically induced coma in the ICU for 8 days, followed by another week of recovery in the hospital. He's made a good recovery, but it was sure scary to watch. Luckily we have large and loyal family who was there every step of the way making sure he was getting the best care possible.  We also have a very loyal extended family of Cousins and an Aunt who drove many hours just to get my Mom and I out of the hospital for a relaxing lunch.  To top it off, we have many great family friends who took good care of my Mom (and I while when I was in town.) 

One of the families (who is made up of awesome cooks!) invited Mom and I over to dinner one of the weekends I was home to spend with Dad at the hospital.  The Burns family has been like a second family to me since I was a kid.  I've spent countless hours on road trips with various members of the family, and they are good people! "Momo" Burns, as she is known to her adoring grand kids, has a knack with making healthy food taste so good, you crave it.  Mom and I had a wonderful dinner with the Burns family and were able to relax and get our mind off of the hospital while eating Momo Burns' delicious meal.  She served a salad that I've now made 3 times since having it.  It is THAT good. It is super easy to throw together, and gets better after sitting in the fridge. (Assuming you don't stand at the counter and eat it with a spoon straight out of the mixing bowl) You can also add or remove any ingredient you like. I would normally add nuts and cranberries, but didn't have any on hand.)

Without further ado, I introduce you to Momo Burns' Salad...

Momo Burns' Salad

4 vine ripened tomatoes (seeded & chopped)

1 large cucumber (seeded & chopped)

1/2 of a medium red onion (thinly sliced & chopped)

1 can chickpeas (drained & rinsed)

1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles

1/3 cup bacon crumbles

2 Tbs. chopped walnuts (not shown)

2 Tbs. dried cranberries (not shown)

Brianna's Real French Vinaigrette Dressing  http://www.briannassaladdressing.com/flavors/french-vinaigrette.html

Mix together in a large bowl and enjoy!