Ham, Fennel and Radish Salad

Total time: 20 minutes
    A cold salad can be just the thing to end a busy day.  This one celebrates spring with lots of sliced radishes.  Serve some crusty, country bread on the side, if you like.

 Ingredients:

• 8oz (240gr) ham
• 1/2 cup sliced radishes
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 small - medium fennel bulb
• 2oz (60gr) cherry tomatoes
• 2oz (60gr) cheddar cheese  substitute Colby
• enough lettuce for 2 main dish salads
• White Balsamic Vinaigrette:
• 4 tbs good olive oil
• 1 tbs white Balsamic vinegar
• 2 tsp Dijon-style mustard
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tbs fresh basil    substitute 1 tsp dried
• 1 tbs snipped chives    substitute 1 tsp dried

 Instructions:

• Prepare lettuce, tear and put into a large salad bowl. 
• Cut ham into cubes. 
• Cut cheese into smaller cubes. 
• Slice radishes. 
• Cut carrots into thin matchsticks. 
• Slice fennel.
• Cut cherry tomatoes in half.
• Add 3 - 4 tbs vinaigrette to lettuce and toss well with tongs to combine.  Taste, adjust. 
• Add remaining ingredients and toss gently. 
• Serve, extra dressing on the side.
• White Balsamic Vinaigrette: 
• Whisk vinegar, mustard and lemon juice. 
• Add oil very slowly whisking all of the time.  It should incorporate as you add it and get thick.  If it does not, stop adding oil for a few moments and just whisk.  Continue until all oil is added. 
• Add basil and chives.