Summer Salad Spectacular

There is not doubt that most of us tend to make the same dishes repeatedly.  There is nothing more fun then finding that perfect recipe that when you take it to a party people are in awe if it beautiful color, texture and taste.  One thing that can really change the way you eat, and it not super time-consuming, is to have a few great salad recipes that are sure to impress.  The three salads that I will share in this post are not only delicious, they vibrant on the plate and will leave your friends asking for the recipe.  Enjoy this light, healthy way to spruce up your work week.


Chickpea Grilled Corn Salad


3 cans of chickpeas (drained & rinsed)
3 ears of grilled corn cut off the cob
(if you are making this in the winter you can use frozen
corn rinsed and slightly chard under the broiler)
1/4 to 1/2 red onion
1/4 cup chopped Italian parsley


Dressing

2 tbsp  olive oil
1 tsp roasted garlic
1/2 cup red wine vinegar


To make this salad, a whole meal add grilled chicken.  This is wonderful leftover.  I have also made it with added feta cheese.



Greek Salad


1 Large Cucumber
1 Container of Whole Cherry Tomatoes
1/2 Cup Chopped Kalamata Olives or 1 Whole Can Black Olives
1/2 Container of Feta Cheese
1/2 Red Onion


Dressing

2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp roasted garlic
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 Fresh Lemon Squeezed in


To make this salad, a whole meal add cold brown rice and grilled chicken.  This is better if you make it the day before. 
It allows for the flavors from the dressing to soak in the rice.


Rice

1 Cup Brown Rice
2 Cups Water or Broth
If you use water add small scoop of chicken bullion


Beet - Blood Orange - Fennel Salad


1 Large Beet sliced on the mandolin
1 Blood Orange peeled and sliced thin against the grain
1 Fennel Bulb Sliced on the mandolin


Dress with

A drizzle of white wine vinegar - olive oil - lightly top with sea salt.

Another good way to dress this salad is to toss the fennel and oranges in the olive oil and vinegar and add the beets once it is plated.  Then salt and pepper to taste.


This salad should be dressed on the plate or in a bowl excluding the beets, to avoid the beet juice discoloring the salad.

This is excellent left over.