Say So Long to Summer with Spicy Cashew Strawberry Salad and Orange Spinach Salad

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

19 Aug 2008 05:12 PM

Summer is fading away... say it ain't so. Soon it will be back to school, back to wool sweaters and back to scraping ice off my windshield. But, rather than dwell on the inevitable I've been trying to spend as much time outside as possible, including dining alfresco.

Next week our entire playgroup will be having an end of the summer luncheon in the park. And with the Labor Day holiday fast approaching most of you likely have outdoor plans as well. If you are looking for a quick and easy potluck dish to pass at your next outdoor gathering consider the following fruit-inspired dishes. (They come in especially handy if you are in charge of bringing the salad course.)

The first is a green salad featuring strawberries, spicy cashews and grilled chicken. The salad is tossed with a refreshing raspberry vinaigrette that screams summer. The second salad is just as simple to make, but packs a punch with a tangy mandarin orange dressing that includes sweet orange marmalade. Both are delicious and nutritious dishes to dig into on these last days of summer.

SPICY CASHEW AND STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH GRILLED CHICKEN

Ingredients:

1 bag mixed greens

10 strawberries, sliced

1/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated

2 tablespoons spicy cashews

1 grilled chicken breast, sliced

Ingredients for Dressing:

1/4 cup raspberry vinegar

3/4 cup red wine vinegar

4 teaspoons mustard powder

3 ounces frozen raspberries

3 ounces sugar

4 cups vegetable oil

1/3 tsp kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

To make salad dressing place ingredients in blender and puree until smooth.

In a large bowl toss the greens with the dressing.

Top with sliced chicken, cashews, and strawberries.

MANDARIN ORANGE SPINACH SALAD

Ingredients:

1 bag fresh baby spinach

1 can mandarin oranges

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted

1 pkg. dry Italian dressing mix

1 teaspoon water

1/4 cup canola oil

2 tablespoons orange marmalade

Thin slices red onion

Thin slices green bell pepper

Thin slices red bell pepper

Thin slices cucumber

Directions:

Drain oranges and set aside syrup. Place spinach in large bowl. Add remaining vegetables and mandarin oranges.

To make dressing: In a quart jar add Italian dressing mix, thawed orange juice concentrate, oil, water, syrup from mandarin oranges and marmalade. Shake and chill. Shake again before pouring over salad.

Serve salad with orange dressing and garnish with almonds.

Related Articles:

Spicy Summer Salads

Making the Most of Summer's Harvest: Tomato, Summer Squash and Cucumber Salad

Fancy Looking Salads that are a Cinch to Make

Tarragon Chicken and Spinach Salads

Pasta Salads with Punch

Super Summer Salads

Super Simple Salads

Tropical Shrimp Salad

Two Different Kinds of Salad Recipes

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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