summer salad favorites.

 Mediterranean Inspired White Bean Salad 

 Greek Salad with Pita Bread

 Garden Salad with Grilled Pesto Chicken

 Tabbouleh 

Classic Chopped Salad with Bacon & Avocado with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette 

I love delicious, satisfying salads. These are some of my favorites that are perfect for hot weather & healthy choices. Win-win. 

Mediterranean Inspired White Bean Salad 

Perfect for a quick put together. Beans are a great source of protein & fiber. It is a great sided to grilled vegetables or an easy lunch...sometimes I even add a can of oil packed tuna.

1 can of your favorite white beans (I used Navy), drained & rinsed

1 organic tomato, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

a handful of olives (I used Spanish), pitted & torn

a handful of parsley, chopped

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 TBL red wine vinegar 

sea salt & cracked pepper

Garden Salad with Grilled Pesto Chicken

Easy & laid back. It can work for any time of year, just mix up the ingredients to whatever is in season--whether it is a summer fare, like here, or roasted root vegetables & spinach in the winter. 

2 boneless chicken breasts

homemade pesto or your favorite store-bought brand

olive oil

sea salt & cracked pepper

the garden salad is really based on what is in season, local or whatever you have on hand...

a head of lettuce or a spring green mix or even spinach

a big ripe tomato, sliced or cherry tomatoes, halved

spring onions, chopped or a sweet vidalia onion, sliced

a cucumber or peppers from the market, sliced

creamy dressing

--Preheat your grill or broiler. Brush olive oil over the cleaned chicken & season. Put the chicken directly on the grill (or on a baking sheet with a baking rack if it is for the broiler; and place under the broiler).

--Cook for about 7-8 minutes, then flip. Cook for another 4-5 minutes. Then add pesto over the chicken & continue to cook for another 3-4 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. 

--Let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes, then slice. 

--Put the chicken over the plattered salad & serve the dressing on the side.  

Classic Chopped Salad with Bacon & Avocado with Blue Cheese Vinaigrette 

This is one of our absolute favorites. It is like comfort food & the small amount of blue cheese is a perfect richness to the creamy avocado. So EASY, but feels so special .

3-4 cups greens or spring mix

1 tomato, sliced into wedges

3 scallions, chopped

1 avocado, chopped

2-3 slices organic turkey bacon, cooked on a cast iron or grill pan & chopped

cracked pepper

--Add all the ingredients in a large bowl or on a platter & toss together. Serve with the blue cheese vinaigrette. 

for the vinaigrette:

4 TBL olive oil

2 TBL red wine vinegar

1 tsp grainy honey mustard

1/4 blue cheese, crumbled (I used Blue Castello) 

a pinch of sea salt

--Put all the ingredients in a mason jar & shake until combined.

happy summer eatings & cheers!