Summer Time Salads!

 

When the weather is hot, having nice cooling foods, that are easy to prepare, and require no heating with your stove, can be life savers.

 

That just screams salads to me.  

 

Now, salads CAN be boring, but they do not have to be.

 

With a few fresh ingredients you can have a stellar meal in minutes.  

 

I’ve shared a few of these ideas before but they are worth repeating.

 

Greens - with the fresh supply of greens, now is an incredible time to take advantage.  Locally grown lettuce, beet tops, kale, etc, so many options to use.  If you have your own garden, or even a few pots, you can have lettuce producing like crazy, like I do right now.  

 

Other colours - peppers, tomatoes, grated carrots, and grated beets are all nice options to add for colour and flavour.

 

Sweetness - berries (dried or fresh), apple, pear, orange sections, mango, left over baked sweet potatoe, corn, etc.

 

Another big favourite of our is using nuts or seeds that are slightly toasted (in a pan with a sprinkle of sugar to melt and become “candied”) and added on top of the salad as a lovely crunchy and sweet addition to your salad.  It really does “elevate” even a boring salad.

 

You can also add in left over meats, like chicken, steak, anything really.  Also beans, goat cheese, feta cheese, etc.  Often our salads are a fridge clean out, and those often are the best!

 

And now….. The dressing!!   The most versatile part of the salad.

 

I have 4 easy to make homemade dressing favs to share!!

Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil 

1/3 cup sugar 

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 Tbsp poppy seeds (optional - just for looks not function)

2 teaspoons finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

 

Place all ingredients into a 1 litter mason jar and use an immersion blender to blend, or place in regular blender to mix. Will store in the fridge for about a week.

** This is from the Beach Salad I wrote about at the beginning of summer.

 

 

Maple Cider Vinegar Dressing

2/3 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup apple cider vinegar (great for digestion and improving gut bacteria quality)

2 Tbsp maple syrup

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard (regular mustard will do in a pinch)

3 garlic cloves minced

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

 

Place all ingredients into a 1 litre mason jar and mix with immersion blender.  You can just whisk this, but I really like the creamy texture when I use an immersion blender (right in the jar) or blend in a normal blender.  Will store in the fridge for about a week.

 

 

Peanut Ginger Dressing

1 garlic clove

1/4 cup peanut butter (or almond butter or any nut butter)

2 Tbsp fresh lime juice

2 Tbsp low-sodium tamari

2 Tbsp water

1/2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

2.5 teaspoons pure maple syrup (or other sweetener)

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

 

Place all ingredients into a 1 litre mason jar and mix with immersion blender.  You can just whisk this, but I really like the creamy texture when I use an immersion blender. Will store in the fridge for about a week.

** This is adapted from a website called Oh She Glows - which I very highly recommend searching for inspirations recipes from her, as her recipes are ridiculously delicious and easy.  They ALWAYS turn out!

 

 

Caesar Salad Dressing

1 garlic clove

1 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 egg

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

2 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice

2/3 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

 

Place all ingredients into a 1 litter mason jar and use an immersion blender to blend, or place in regular blender to mix. Will store in the fridge for about a week.

 

I hope you are planning to try at least one of these - you won’t be disappointed!

 

All of these ingredients can be found at your local Quality Greens Market for quick, easy, heathy, and delicious summer meals!

 

Enjoy!

Have a great week!

Lisa.