PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- This is a recipe with special meaning for Rania Harris. Katie is back in the kitchen helping her with the summer salad series.

Howie's Salad

Ingredients

• Persian cucumbers - sliced
• Cherry tomatoes
• Artichoke hearts - halved
• Hearts of palm - sliced
• Diced roasted red peppers
• Pitted Kalamata olives
• Cubed Feta cheese
• Dried cherries 
• Broccoli florets (blanched for just a minute – bright green in color)
• Diced red onion
• Grape leaves – cut into halves
• Beets

Dressing:

• Red wine vinegar
• Extra  virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Garnish:

• Fresh basil leaves

Note:

• I also would add almonds or cashews if I had some in my pantry.

Directions:

Combine the above ingredients together in a large bowl and dress with vinegar and olive oil to taste. Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Transfer the salad to a large serving bowl and serve at room temperature.

Garnish with basil

You can make this salad as large or small as you wish.  It's a great way to use leftover ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and it's always a hit. I always make my salad completely vegetarian as this is my preference.