More Summer Salads

I think we are all thankful for the lower heat and humidity - I hope all of you and your loved ones came through the storms with no damage. The oppressive heat had me making large salads or grilling and then adding any leftovers to salads. Grill or roast more of whatever protein you want, and then you will have simple dinners with no need to sweat over a stove or grill for another day or two. Mix up the salads you make to keep from getting bored. Or make sandwiches with leftover protein and have a nice veggie side salad - another great strategy for beating the heat. Send me your summer inspirations for great meals during the heat by emailing me at lindadansbury@comcast.net and please put Anchor Run in the subject line.

Cucumber, scallions, cilantro, mint, garlic, chili pepper (I know we haven't received these yet, I took one out of the freezer from last year - another way the harvest keeps giving through the year). Made a Vietnamese Cucumber Salad that is so yummy - actually have now made it 3 times so far this year! Even leftovers the next day are delicious.

Green beans, scallions, garlic, basil, parsley, cherry tomatoes - made a green bean salad - I have twice now used my entire share of green beans in 1 large salad. It keeps for days due to the red wine vinaigrette I use. To make it, cook the beans as you like - I cook them a bit longer than if I were eating them plain because the dressing is better absorbed. Chop the aromatics and halve the cherry tomatoes. Make your favorite red wine vinaigrette and mix all together. Delicious add-ins include chick peas and feta cheese.

Zucchini, eggplant, pepper, chard, scallions, basil and parsley - made a really simple pasta salad by grilling all the veggies until nicely charred and tender. Chopped everything up and tossed together in a large bowl with cooked pasta. Dressing was a vinaigrette I made combining red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar. Enjoyed it as a delicious side dish, and then leftovers were lunch with some leftover chicken one day and some tuna another day. Additional add-ins for this dish can be white beans or chick peas, some type of cheese, including mozzarella, parmesan or feta, cherry tomatoes or other things your family likes.

Lettuce, tomato, scallion and basil - we had club sandwiches one night and I finely chopped scallion and basil and mixed into the mayo for a nice flavor boost to the sandwich.

Garlic scapes, scallion, lots of parsley and basil - used all these herbs to flavor a marinade for grilled chicken. Yum