Recipes
My Seriously Tasty Summer Salads
Summer produce is in full effect! Take advantage of the colorful, nutritious food that is readily available and seasonal right now and make one bowl wonderful salads like these! Check out the Summer Produce List I wrote with even more recipes linked!
These 6 salads are my ultimate go-to’s for a variety of flavors throughout the summer season!
GRILLED BALSAMIC STEAK SUMMER SALAD
FOR THE RECIPE
WATERMELON-FETA SUMMER SALAD
FOR THE RECIPE
ASIAN CHICKEN CHOPPED SALAD WITH CARROT-GINGER DRESSING
FOR THE RECIPE
SOBA NOODLE SESAME SALAD
FOR THE RECIPE
SMOKED TROUT SALAD WITH CREAMY LEMON DRESSING
FOR THE RECIPE
HEIRLOOM TOMATO + CHERRY SALAD WITH A SIMPLE LEMON DRESSING
Makes 2-3 servings
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 large Heirloom tomato, sliced
- 1 cup Heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cherries, halved
- 2 cups micro greens or watercress
- 1/3 cup Boursin cheese, forked into the salad
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt + pepper
TO MAKE:
- Plate all of the ingredients and mix the salad ingredients in a small bowl
Nutrition
June is here and the official start to Summer is around the corner. Not only is Summer a lush, green, sunshine-filled time for us when we spend more time outdoors and have more energy thanks to that sunny Vitamin D, it is also a fantastic time for colorful, healthy produce! Eating seasonally is not only ideal for eating fresh, robust-flavored produce, but it is also healthier, saves money, and more!
OVERALL BENEFITS OF EATING SEASONALLY
- MORE FLAVOR: Flavor is sacrificed when produce is picked before it is fully ripe. If your produce is coming from across the US or another country, it is picked too early and then packed up to travel, oftentimes sprayed with chemicals to prevent ripening when on-the-move.
- MORE NUTRIENT-DENSE: When produce is picked before it’s ripe (in order for it to travel long distances,) the nutrients do not fully develop in the flesh of the fruit. When picked too early, they don’t have the sun to grow them into their full nutrient potential, which limits their full health benefits.
- SAVES $: Produce in season is more abundant, so it is less per pound in the store. If you are buying produce that is out of season, it comes from a long distance and has added cost for the travel or measures taken to grow it locally in a greenhouse during off-seasons.
- COMMUNITY: buying seasonally is most likely also buying local. That is a great way to support local CSAs, Farmer’s, and businesses.
SUMMER’S SEASONAL PRODUCE LIST
HERBS, SPICES/PEPPERS, + GREENS
BASIL
ARUGULA
PURSLANE
BUTTER LETTUCE
Butter lettuce is amazing to use as a wrap for tacos or as a low-carb bread alternative in so many circumstances!
SPINACH
JALAPENO PEPPERS
FRUITS
BERRIES: Blueberries, Raspberries, Strawberries, + Cherries
STONE FRUITS: Peaches, Apricots, Nectarines, Plums
For info on the many health benefits of peaches, check out my blog
I love adding stone fruits to my salads, so using peach slices in a simple chicken salad is a fantastic way to change-it-up and add a dose of seasonal produce to a meal.
MELONS: Cantaloupe, Honeydew, + Watermelon
For plenty of refreshing watermelon recipes like grilled watermelon-feta salad, watermelon salsa, watermelon sorbet, and more, check out the health benefits blog for the summertime melon
ORANGES
FIGS
AVOCADOS
VEGGIES
CORN
Try my healthier take on Elotes for a great corn recipe this summer!
CAULIFLOWER
BELL PEPPERS
BROCCOLI
PADRON PEPPERSS
CUCUMBERS
GREEN BEANS + LONG BEANS
OKRA
RADISHES
I use radishes ALL of the time, but 2 of the more creative recipes using my favorite watermelon radishes are:
SUMMER SQUASH
ZUCCHINI
TOMATOES + TOMATILLOS
This easy to make instant pot recipe is a great #tacotuesday summer dish: Chicken Verde
CELERY
FENNEL
