I don’t know about you, but I love, love, LOVE salads in the summer.  There is something about all of the fresh produce that makes them taste so much better!  Not only that, but they make for easy summer meals. 

I have a few of my favorite summer salad recipes to share with you.  The first recipe I’ll share is almost limitless with the combinations you can try!  As the summer goes on and as I use a variety of different types of summer salad recipes, I”ll be sure to post them.

Summer Salad #1

Greens

Green onions, chopped

1 mango, peeled and cubed

2 c (or more) strawberries, hulled and sliced

blue cheese

cooked bacon, crumbled

Poppy Seed Dressing (try making it with coconut oil…out of this world!)

Layer in a large salad bowl and serve with the dressing on the side.  Enjoy!

Summer Salad #2

Greens

green onions

2 oranges, peeled and chopped

1 or 2 avocados, peeled and cubed

bacon, cooked and crumbled

Poppy Seed Dressing

Other Summer Salad combinations:

strawberries and kiwi fruit

pears and dried cranberries

apples and peaches

add homemade candied walnuts or pecans to any of the above…yum!!!

Guacamole Salad

Greens

Tortilla chips (remember to use non-GMO!)

Grated Cheddar Cheese

Guacamole (recipe to follow)

Whole milk plain yogurt (or sour cream)

Salsa

Layer salad in order of ingredients and enjoy!

Guacamole

2 ripe avocados

1-2 tomatoes, finely chopped

1/4 c onion, finely chopped

1 T lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

1/4 tsp salt

1 clove garlic or 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Puree avocados in food processor until smooth or desired consistency.  Transfer to a small bowl and add remaining ingredients.  Mix well and serve immediately!

Did you know you can freeze guacamole?  It definitely tastes better fresh, but if you make a large batch and don’t eat it within the first day, go ahead and stick it in the freezer!

Ceasar Salad

Greens

Green onions

Grilled chicken, optional

Tomatoes, chopped

Homemade Ceasar dressing (below)

grated Parmesan or Romano cheese, optional

Layer ingredients in a large salad bowl, toss with dressing, serve immediately and enjoy!

Homemade Ceasar Salad Dressing

This is a recipe passed down in my family from my grandmother.  It is the best I’ve had! We especially love it served with spaghetti or lasagna.  If you’re leery of the raw egg, dip it in boiling water for 30 seconds before using it.

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

2 (three inch) squeezes of Anchovy paste

1 raw egg

1/2 c Parmesan cheese

1/2 c olive or safflower oil

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 c lemon juice

Let garlic stand in oil awhile.  Add remaining ingredients, combine well and pour over salad.

I hope you enjoy these easy summer salads!