Search Results for: blog super summer salads

Simple Summer Shindigs

Who says you have to hire a DJ, a caterer and massive tents to host a summer get-together at your home? When it comes to throwing a memorable party, keep it simple and concentrate on having fun. You don’t need to drain your wallet purchasing elaborate decorations and expensive party favors. Rather, use what you already have and add some pizzazz by exercising some creativity. For example, instead of rigging up a series of spotlights to illuminate a backyard BBQ, adorn a fence with strings of Christmas lights. If you are having an afternoon bash, skip the lights and use … Continue reading →

International Chicken Salads

I love the Cheesecake Factory’s Luau Salad (and not just because I was born and raised in Hawaii). The culinary creation is piled high with grilled chicken, mixed greens, cucumbers, red and yellow peppers, green beans, carrots, mouthwatering mango and crisp wontons. It’s topped with macadamia nuts and sesame seeds, and dressed with a to die for vinaigrette. The problem is, it’s not cheap. Sure, the portion size is generous, but I always get a tinge of guilt ordering it because it’s something that I could easily make at home (save for the wontons). I’m the type of person who … Continue reading →

Simple Summer Sandwiches

With summer here and the temperatures on the rise, no one wants to be slaving away in a hot kitchen. The following sandwich recipes don’t require turning on the oven or firing up the stove. Rather, they allow you to serve your family a hearty and healthy meal without breaking a sweat. GREEK TURKEY WRAP Ingredients: 1 (8-ounce) cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup feta cheese 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives 4 (8-inch) spinach flavored flour tortillas 1 pound sun dried tomato turkey, thinly sliced 1 cup baby spinach leaves 1/4 cup thinly sliced cucumber 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion … Continue reading →

Simple Summer Soups

Soups during the dog days of summer? It doesn’t seem practical, right? On the contrary, chilled soups are a delicious way to cool off during the sweltering summer months. In addition, with all of the fresh produce being offered at local farmer’s markets and in your own backyard, the following recipes should come in very handy: SUMMER MINESTRONE Ingredients: 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 medium onion, chopped 1 medium carrots, peeled and chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped Salt and pepper 1 tablespoon dried basil 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1 medium sized zucchini, diced 1 medium yellow summer squash, … Continue reading →

Lite and Healthy Summer Recipes

If you are struggling to fit into last season’s swimsuit, then you might be interested in the following recipe line-up. These dishes prove that reducing calories and fat doesn’t mean sacrificing taste and texture: SPICY FISH TACOS Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt 1/4 cup Lite mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 teaspoon lime zest 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro Few dashes of hot sauce 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 pounds fresh white fish fillets (ahi, grouper, halibut, or tilapia) 2 sliced red, yellow peppers 10 small flour tortillas 4 cups … Continue reading →

Simple Spring and Summer Salads

Late spring is such a fickle time weather-wise. One day it’s sunny, in the 70s, and you can just taste summer. Then—BAM! The next day, it’s cold, windy, and rainy, and you wonder why you put away your winter coat. The following salad recipes are ideal for late spring/early summer. They feature seasonal ingredients and are hearty enough to fill you up, even when Mother Nature can’t seem to deliver two warm days in a row. MEDITERRANEAN SALAD Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced 1 teaspoon dried … Continue reading →

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

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 … Continue reading →

Spicy Summer Salads

Who hasn’t been inspired by the steely determination and incredible athleticism displayed by the participants of the Summer Olympic Games in China? My family has been so wrapped up in the Olympics telecast that I have been making sure dinner and the dishes are done before the first second of primetime coverage begins each night. The broadcast of the games has also influenced our dinner menu. I’ve been trying to make dishes that are not too involved, yet contain the required nutritional allotment for a growing family. The following recipes are easy to prepare and would be welcome additions to … Continue reading →

End of the Summer Picnic Dish—Kicked Up Pasta Salad

This evening I was reminded by our local TV meteorologist that we are losing more than two minutes of sunlight per day. So much for summer, right? Wrong. After hearing that the big ball of fire, which has fueled so many incredible summer memories for my family over the past few months, was slowly weaning us from its warmth and light I decided to take action. I called my playgroup moms and we set a date for an end of the summer picnic in the park. Next week we will round up the kids, make our favorite potluck dishes and … Continue reading →

Super Simple Summer Sides

After months of tolerable temperatures, the heat is finally on in our neck of the woods… and the rest of the nation. From Oregon to Georgia the mercury is soaring. When the temperature is hovering near 95 degrees you can bet that most home cooks aren’t planning menus that require them to stand over a hot stove (regardless of if they have central air). In fact, when it gets this hot I try not to turn on any of my kitchen appliances. Instead, I stick to a simple menu of lighter foods such as salads, sandwiches and refreshing side dishes … Continue reading →