Columbus Country Market Summer Garden Salad

Salad Ingredients

8 cups mixed salad greens

1 cup halved grape tomatoes

1 cup thinly sliced cucumber

½ cup black or kalamata olives

1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into ¼-inch strips

¾ cup cubed avocado

½ cup thinly sliced red onion

1 recipe vinaigrette, at right

In a large bowl, combine all prepared ingredients. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Vinaigrette

INGREDIENTS

½ cup aged balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar

2 tablespoons stone-ground mustard

½ teaspoon garlic salt

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

½ cup light olive oil

In a small bowl, combine vinegar, brown sugar, mustard, garlic salt, and pepper. Whisk until sugar is dissolved. Slowly whisk in oil. Cover, and refrigerate until ready to serve. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

The Columbus Country Market is held on the last Saturday of every month from March through November. It opens at 9 a.m. and ends at noon.

It is located in downtown Columbus, Texas on the Historic Courthouse Square at the corner of Walnut Street (Highway 90) and Travis Street.

The Country Market was launched in 2014 and is led by community volunteers with support from the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center. The Country Market promotes local farmers, gardeners, cooks, bakers, craftspeople, and other artisans.