Clara's Restaurant-style Green Salad with options

*While on holidays, when we had to eat out we tried to choose salads from the menu because not only are they healthier than the alternatives, but they are delicious!  In the past few days since getting home I've been enjoying trying to recreate some of the delicious salads we ate out at restaurants and cafes...  No quantities are suggested in this recipe, as all should be done to taste - the recipe is merely a suggestion of what tastes good together!*

mixed lettuces - eg. red oakleaf lettuce, green oakleaf lettuce, baby spinach, etc.

tomato, cut into slices

green capsicum, cut into thin strips

cucumber, sliced thinly

carrot, peeled and chopped into thin strips or peelings

red onion, sliced thinly

sunflower seeds or pine nuts

whole egg mayonnaise

french herb dressing

olive oil

optional - bacon or chicken pieces or beef strips

Place lettuces on dinner plates or wide bowls. Gently toss in capsicum, cucumber, carrot and red onion, and arrange tomato on the side. Gently brown sunflower seeds or pine nuts in hot oil.  Sprinkle seeds/nuts over salad.  Drizzle french dressing over, and place a dollop of mayonnaise on the side.

Optional:
Bacon - fry bacon and dice.  Place on the side of the salad or gently toss through salad.

Chicken - Heat oil in a pan, add a little soy sauce (to taste), garlic powder and chopped chives.  Gently stirfry chicken until tender. Place chicken pieces over the salad and serve immediately.

Beef strips - Fry in olive oil, place over salad and serve immediately.