Good Summer Salads

[wolfie]

Well, it appears that we're not going to have much of a spring here in our area this year. Went from winter to summer, so we've been doing a lot of grilling. Surprise! Surprise! These two salads have been getting a lot of play.

Sweet Onion & Cucumber Salad

aexport

----Dressing----
1/4 cup crushed tomatoes; with puree
1/4 cup creme fraiche or
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fresh chives or; chopped
2 teaspoons green onion; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh basil; chopped
2 teaspoons flat leaf parsley; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons shallots; chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic; minced
----Salad----
8 cups mixed baby greens
1 small sweet onion (Maui or); very thinly sliced
1 large english cucumber; peeled & sliced

Directions:

Combine first 12 ingredients in processor and blend until just smooth (do
not overmix). Transfer to bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared a day ahead. Keep
refrigerated.)
Combine greens, onion and cucumber in a large bowl. Toss with enough
dressing to coat.
Note: This delicious salad was garnished with nasturtium blossoms.

Source: The Lodge at Koele, Lanai, Hawaii.

** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.73 **


Watermelon-Feta Salad

aexport

3 cups seedless watermelon; diced
1 1/2 cups english cucumber; diced
1/2 cup kalamata olives; pitted & chopped
1/2 cup red onion; diced
----Dressing----
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley; chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
----Topping----
1/4 cup feta cheese; crumbled

Directions:

Place the first four ingredients in a large bowl with the dressing and
gently toss. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
Makes 6 cups

Source: Southern Living 2005 Annual Recipes

** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.73 **

Hope you like them

wolfie

 

[SizzlininIN]

thanks wolfie they sound wonderful. I've never tried feta cheese before though.

 

[mish]

Well, it appears that we're not going to have much of a spring here in our area this year. Went from winter to summer, so we've been doing a lot of grilling. Surprise! Surprise! These two salads have been getting a lot of play.

Sweet Onion & Cucumber Salad

aexport

----Dressing----
1/4 cup crushed tomatoes; with puree
1/4 cup creme fraiche or
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
3 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 teaspoons fresh chives or; chopped
2 teaspoons green onion; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh basil; chopped
2 teaspoons flat leaf parsley; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro; chopped
2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
1 1/2 teaspoons shallots; chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic; minced
----Salad----
8 cups mixed baby greens
1 small sweet onion (Maui or); very thinly sliced
1 large english cucumber; peeled & sliced

Directions:

Combine first 12 ingredients in processor and blend until just smooth (do
not overmix). Transfer to bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. (Can be prepared a day ahead. Keep
refrigerated.)
Combine greens, onion and cucumber in a large bowl. Toss with enough
dressing to coat.
Note: This delicious salad was garnished with nasturtium blossoms.

Source: The Lodge at Koele, Lanai, Hawaii.

** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.73 **


Watermelon-Feta Salad

aexport

3 cups seedless watermelon; diced
1 1/2 cups english cucumber; diced
1/2 cup kalamata olives; pitted & chopped
1/2 cup red onion; diced
----Dressing----
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup flat leaf parsley; chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
----Topping----
1/4 cup feta cheese; crumbled

Directions:

Place the first four ingredients in a large bowl with the dressing and
gently toss. Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.
Makes 6 cups

Source: Southern Living 2005 Annual Recipes

** Exported from Now You're Cooking! v5.73 **

Hope you like them

wolfie

Welcome to DC, wolfie.

So glad you opened the topic for summer salads (& grilling.) Thank you.

Thanks for reminding me about the Feta/Watermelon salad. It's very refreshing & oh so good during the dog days of Summer. I make mine a little differently, mostly Feta, chopped red onions, sweet basil leaves (not big on mint); and want to try drizzling with balsamic. Will have to give your version a go. Thank you.

Slices of grilled chicken mixed into a strawberry spinach salad (raspberry vinaigrette or dressing of choice) makes a nice light summer meal.

Another fave of mine is a cold caprese pasta salad. Try adding grilled chicken slices, grilled shrimp or salmon. Serve with grilled garlic cheese bread & iced tea/sangria to make it a meal.

An interesting twist on watermelon salads - make watermelon cups and fill with cold crab salad. If you would like the recipe/details send up a flare.

Your onion/cuke salad looks divine. Thank you.

 

[Constance]

Wolfie, I don't care for cucumbers or raw onions, but that dressing looks delicious.

Sizzlin, Feta cheese has strong personality, like bleu cheese but not. I love it, especially in salads. I can't quite imagine it with watermelon, but I'd try a taste of it.

 

[mish]

Feta cheese has strong personality, like bleu cheese but not. I love it, especially in salads. I can't quite imagine it with watermelon, but I'd try a taste of it.

Connie, give it a try - the sweetness of the fruit is complimented with the feta.