Recipes For Three Easy Summer Salads

Last weekend we had some friends over for dinner. My husband was in charge of the main course (grilled fish and grilled chicken), and I took responsibility for everything else–mostly to make sure that we had more than chips and dip to round out our meal! I decided to make three easy summer salads to give everyone plenty to choose from.

The first salad I made was a simple tomato and cucumber salad. Once again, I was lucky to be able to use vegetables and herbs from my Mom’s garden.

Tomato Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

3 medium tomatoes
2 large cucumbers English or homegrown
6 leaves fresh mint basil or Thai basil
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Core and seed tomatoes, cut into chunks, and add to large bowl.
Peel and seed cucumbers, cut into chunks, add to bowl, and toss to mix.
Thinly slice herbs (I used my herb scissors), sprinkle over vegetables and toss to mix.
Whisk oil and vinegar together, pour over vegetables and toss to mix.
Toss again just before serving.

Black Bean Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

Ingredients

• 2 15 oz. cans black beans rinsed and drained.
• 1 8 oz. can white corn rinsed and drained.
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin

Directions

• Toss beans, corn and celery in a large bowl.
• Whisk together lime juice, olive oil, sugar and cumin, pour over bean mixture and toss to coat.
• Toss again prior to serving.

And of course, I made my Chobani® coleslaw!

For once I remembered to do all my food-prep before I mopped the floors. I usually try to get the cleaning out of the way first, but then my kitchen floor gets dirty again as I inevitably drip juice on the floor moving from counter to sink to trash can, or send a few seeds flying with my zealous chopping! Fixing salads that can be made ahead makes it easier to get the “cooking” done in advance, and left me time to relax before our friends arrived.

Do you have any favorite easy summer salads?

Is there a dish you always bring to a potluck?