Freshen up your summer salads.
Nothing screams summer quite like a cold, delicious salad brimming with your garden’s fresh fruits and vegetables.
Since we have a heat wave in our area, I was on the hunt for some recipes that would cool down the body and provide electrolytes. Here are a couple for you to try. Enjoy and stay hydrated during this triple digit weather!
Watermelon wedge salad with feta and mint
This very easy recipe combines the naturally sweet, juicy watermelon with the saltiness of feta, the crunch of the almonds and the fragrance of fresh mint.
Ingredients
One 1 1/4-inch-thick slab from the center of a small to medium seedless watermelon
2 tablespoons sliced almonds
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 pinch salt
Instructions
Cut the watermelon slab into quarters and set on a plate. Sprinkle the almonds, feta, and mint over the top. Drizzle the olive oil over the melon and finish with a pinch of salt.
Makes: 4 servings
Laura’s Italian Pasta Salad with olives and mozzarella
Here’s a take on traditional pasta salad with a satisfying twist whole grain pasta. Not only is it a healthier version, but this pasta salad promises to be more satisfying with the added fiber.
Ingredients
16 ounces brown rice pasta, uncooked
1 can each of chopped olives green and black
2 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup of chopped cucumber
1/2 cup finely diced red onion cup of chopped celery
1/2 cup fresh mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon of Giardiniera hot relish (optional if you like it spicy)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cloves of minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
Cook pasta until just about done (al dente). Drain well and place pasta in a large serving bowl.
Add the olives, tomatoes, parsley, onion, cucumber, celery and cheeses. Combine well.
In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. Add the dressing to the pasta mixture and toss until well combined. Serve chilled.