Summer Vegetable Salad with a Basil Lime Vinaigrette

A simple veggie salad with a delicous vinaigrette.  Great for a nice dinner or a casual barbecue.  Feel free to add or eliminate any veggies you do or don't like, the salad is very forgiving! If  you like your veggies cut differently than I do - go for it!  Its all about customizing to meet your preferences.  

Ingredients:

Veggies

• 1 c steamed asparagus (cut in thirds)
• 1 c steamed green beans (cut in half)
• 1 ear of corn, steams and cut off the cob (or sub 1/2 c canned)
• 1/3 c cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1/4 c jarred artichokes, roughly chopped
• 1/2 c frozen lima beans, thawed
• 2 T sundried tomatoes
• 2 T diced red onion
• 1 green onion, chopped 

Vinaigrette

• 6 fresh basil leaves, ribboned
• 1/3 c olive oil
• 2 T lime juice
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 1-1 1/2 T sugar
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
- To steam asparagus, green beans and corn, place in a steamer basket in a pot on the stove and cook until al dente (still has a bite/crunch and is not soggy/limp)
- Combine all veggies in a medium bowl
- Whisk vinaigrette in a separate bowl to dissolve sugar
- Add vinaigrette to veggies and mix.  Salt and Pepper to taste.  

*I recommend chilling in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes prior to serving to let flavors develop.  Can be served chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy!