Monday just gave me a knowing wink, then passed me a giant serving of this summer detox salad.

I’m not sure who cued Mr. Monday into my Friday night bar bill, showed him the recycling bin after Saturday’s excursion on the lake (I promise I shared that six-pack and guac!), or mentioned Sunday night’s barbecue bonanza (kudos to my sister-in-law, who cooked five pounds of fall-apart tender spare ribs), but he has a way of cajoling me into atoning for my weekend excesses. It’s as if the “M” on my calendar stands for “Make Amends.” On Mondays, I restore the equilibrium of my digestive system, and thanks to wonderful, nutrient-rich meals like this Super Summer Detox Salad, I feel happy and satisfied while completing the task.

I created this salad the week after we returned from New York City, which if you’ve so much as skimmed that post, you might have an idea why I felt compelled to up my intake of greens. In the Big Apple, we ate with the guilt-free gusto of vacation, regretting only our lack of stomach space. Though I certainly wouldn’t trade the midnight pork buns, daily croissants, melt-in-your-mouth pastas, and fried chicken we enjoyed for a salad bar, I arrived home in a body crying out for a reset (and vegetables).

I’ve long been suspicious of stereotypical juice-based detoxes (plus, I completely lack the will power to subsist on liquids alone), so instead, I created a filling meal based around antioxidant-rich foods. The result is a hearty salad loaded with texture, good-for-you-ingredients, and bursting with fresh summer flavor.

FULL RECIPE IN THE NEXT PAGE, ENJOY 🙂