Summer is a season of colors and flavors. It’s a great time to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables. If you want a combination of flavors, consider making a healthy salad with multiple ingredients and a light dressing.
Here are some options to consider for you, your family, and friends to enjoy. Have some of these on your summer cookout or for a lazy afternoon.
1. Granola Fruit Salad
Source: ShutterstockThis is an option to consider if you enjoy a variety of flavors or can’t pick just one kind of fruit. Cut your favorite fruits into small pieces that are easy to eat. Mix in your favorite granola with the fruit. Sprinkle the top of the salad with quinoa as well as a drizzle of honey and lime juice. Fruits that pair well together include blueberries, watermelon, and mango.
2. Pasta Salad
Source: ShutterstockInstead of the traditional pasta salad with dressing and a few chopped vegetables, consider making a southwestern salad with a kick. Add diced avocado, olives, diced tomatoes, and a small amount of taco seasoning to your pasta. Mix in French dressing and ranch along with a squeeze of lime juice. This is a great salad option if you’re serving tacos or burritos as the flavors can accent each other.
3. Blueberry Corn Salad
Source: ShutterstockSometimes, you might not want a heavy meal on a hot summer day. A blueberry corn salad is an option that you can make that is light and refreshing, and that can be made in larger batches to share with others. Use cucumbers as the base of the salad before adding blueberries, corn off the cob, and a small amount of diced onion. You can eat the salad without dressing or with a drizzle of lemon juice.
4. Grilled Salad
Source: ShutterstockIf you need to prepare a dish to take to a cookout or a summer gathering, a grilled tortellini salad can go a long way. Prepare the tortellini as directed on the package. Add any grilled vegetables that you enjoy, such as corn, tomatoes, or squash. Top the salad with sesame seeds, Parmesan cheese, and dressing.
5. Watermelon Salad
Source: ShutterstockThe summer season is usually filled with watermelons of all sizes and shapes. Choose the best one you can find to make a watermelon and feta salad, which is refreshing after a long hot day. The feta should be crumbled into small pieces before it’s put on top of chopped pieces of watermelon. You can also add small pieces of mint leaves or cilantro.
Summer is a time of the year when you might not want to cook a large meal. It’s also a time when you can go to a farmer’s market to get plenty of fresh ingredients. Use them to make a delicious salad that you can store in the freezer or share it with family and friends.
