Summer Salads

With summer around the corner, it’s the best time of year for salads - so many vegetables are in season and are readily available. When possible, I try to shop for locally sourced, organic greens and ingredients, but you can find most all of your ingredients in any local grocery store.

Here are some new, and some old, favorites:

1) Asparagus & Corn Salad

This recipe was born from leftover veggies from a BBQ (What’s that saying? Necessity is the mother of invention?) I parboiled the asparagus (only 2-3 minutes in boiling water), and then dropped them immediately into an ice bath. I sliced the corn (previously cooked) off the cobs and chopped the asparagus into 1/2 - 1 inch pieces and mixed both together. I then chopped some red onion and tossed that in…drizzled the mixture with EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), and added kosher salt and ground pepper. I topped it off with crumbled feta cheese (as you’ll come to learn about me -> is it even a meal if there’s no cheese involved?) and gave it a final healthy toss. You can chill it in the fridge for a delicious, light lunch for a warm summer day! P.S. Feel free to add protein such as chicken or shrimp to keep you full longer ;)

2) Turkey, Apple & Cheddar Salad

I was inspired by a similar salad at Brady’s Fox Hunt Inn in Northvale, NJ. So easy and simple, yet so flavorful. Romaine lettuce, sliced Fuji apples, shredded cheddar and sliced deli turkey (I used honey turkey to give it a little extra flavor). I prefer to make my own dressing when I can, but I was in a rush and used a vinaigrette we had in the fridge. You could also add nuts to this salad for some extra crunch, as well as some grape tomatoes for added color and flavor. Yum!

3) Farmhouse Cafe Marinated Grilled Chicken Salad

This has been a longstanding favorite of mine, introduced to me by a dear friend and colleague. (Maybe part of the deliciousness is that hint of nostalgia). The chicken is always moist and flavorful, and the whole salad is chopped, making it easy to get all the flavors on your fork in each bite! Romaine lettuce, corn, black beans, tomatoes, cheddar and avocado are the perfect combination of textures and flavors. You have your choice of dressings, but I opt for the balsamic. The Farmhouse has locations in Cresskill and Westwood, NJ.

I’d love to hear about your favorite summer salad go-tos! Leave a comment or shoot me an email!