I love salads year-round, but in the summer I find myself eating them more often. I’m not talking about a basic tossed salad, though. I love salads that are bursting with flavor. If you want to brighten up your salads, too, I thought I’d share a few that I have enjoyed.
Marie Guaragna (Arlington, VA) thinks her Mandarin Orange Strawberry Spinach Salad is “a true crowd-pleaser” and my taste buds definitely agree.
What a treat for the senses this salad is. It’s fabulous to serve on just about any occasion from Sunday brunch to a holiday meal.
Fresh spinach and strawberries are a classic flavor combination. Add in mandarin oranges and you have a yummy salad. Celery, parsley, and green onions add a bit of crunch and a slight onion flavor. I love the candied almonds on top. The homemade raspberry vinaigrette is light and perfect to dress the salad with.
Another salad with a fantastic homemade vinaigrette is Sher Bird’s (Bellevue, WA) Awesome Maple-Balsamic Blue Cheese Pear Salad.
“The dressing is made with real maple syrup, and the salad is dressed with candied pecans, blue cheese, pear slices, and some dried cranberries,” explains Sher. “The ingredients might sound strange for a salad, but they work wonderfully together – it is so good!”
I really love the dressing for this salad. You have a hint of sweetness from the maple syrup balanced out by the acidity from the white balsamic. There are so many textures, too. Crunch from the candied pecans, sweetness from the pears, chewy dried cranberries, and creamy blue cheese. Yum!
Caprese salad is a summertime staple in my house. But, Glenda Moore (Spring Hill, KS) puts a twist on it for her Caprese Spinach Pasta Salad.
This has basil, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese. Then, Glenda adds black olives, spinach, and pasta. Olive oil is drizzled over top.
“I ate this for a late afternoon lunch and thought it was very good,” shares Glenda. “Later on when my husband got home and was very hungry this is what I fed him until dinner was done. He loved this and I did not expect him to like it.”
One bite and I could see why Glenda’s husband enjoyed this too. It’s light, yet filling. If you add some grilled chicken this would make a tasty summertime dinner.
Nikki Smith’s (Hemet, CA) Avocado Citrus Salad is so delightful.
“I love avocado,” reveals Nikki. “So why not have a nice refreshing avocado salad. You can also use tomatoes as it did.”
Avocado and orange make this salad very refreshing. The salad itself is easy to throw together. With torn romaine, orange, red onion, and ripe avocado, you may have all the ingredients handy.
The dressing, I think, is what brings everything together. It’s tangy from lime juice and a touch of sugar balances the flavors with a bit of sweetness.
Serve Cindy Sandberg’s (Carlisle, IN) Fruit, Nut, and Seed Salad as a light lunch or alongside a piece of chicken or fish for dinner. Light and refreshing with simple flavors, it’s delicious.
“Good for you and endlessly adaptable,” thinks Cindy. “I love having a salad like this for lunch… it’s satisfying all on its own.”
Apples add crunch and a touch of sweetness. I loved the nuts throughout. The dressing has a slight tang and lets the salad flavors shine.
Make this your own by adjusting with your favorite nuts or dried fruit. I went with dried cranberries and loved the pop of flavor in each bite.
There’s nothing boring about these five Blue Ribbon salads. If you’re looking to brighten up your salads, I highly encourage giving one of them a try. I think they’ll be a big hit with your family. Happy Pinching!