Summer Salads

As the weather heats up, side dishes here at the Obi house shift from things like potatoes and roasted veggies to a variety of salads. So today I thought I'd share two of our favorites. One is quick and easy, the other is easy, but takes a little bit more time.

First is Cucumber and Onion Salad. As soon as the weather turns warm, my husband starts asking for this. And I always have to add extra onion just for him.

Start by peeling and thinly slicing a cucumber or two. 

Put them into a bowl, then slice some onion, add that to the cucumbers and toss everything together.

Next, in a 2 - 4 cup measuring cup or medium bowl, mix 2 cups water, 1 cup vinegar, 1/4 - 1/2 tsp black pepper and sugar to taste. I usually add about a tablespoon, but you can start with 1 tsp and go up from there until you reach the desired amount of sweetness. For me, I'm simply looking to take the edge off of vinegar, not anything really sweet. Stir until dissolved and pour over onion/cucumber mixture.

Allow to sit for at least an hour before serving.

Avocado and Tomato Balsamic Salad is quickly becoming one of my go-to sides. I can whip it up in a flash and it's so delicious and healthy that I've been known to make a meal of this alone.

Simply cube the avocado and some tomatoes into a bowl. I prefer the flavor of grape tomatoes, so I just halve them. 

Then drizzle a little bit of olive oil over that, add several shakes of balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt.

Gently toss everything to coat and that's it. You're ready to go. 

Fresh veggies and fruits are part of the beauty of summer. And while we can get many of these items year-round, they just taste better in the summer when they're fresh and, often, locally grown. 

What are some of your favorite summer salads/veggies?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, the youngest of her five children and two dogs. She passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. When she's not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more a mindyobenhaus.com.

The Simple Things

Well, the news broke last week, but in case you missed it...

I GET TO EAT REAL FOOD AGAIN!!!!!!

Yes, it really is those simple things in life that make us happiest. Like a baby's giggle, getting a cart at Walmart that doesn't have a gimpy wheel and being able to eat something besides soft foods. 

So what did I have for my first meal? 

I don't remember. 

Well, not completely true. I remember one aspect of it. 

Something I hadn't been able to eat in nearly two months.

SALAD!

Oh, yes it was so deliciously crunchy.

And the pizza I was craving?

That didn't happen until this weekend. But let me tell you, it was the BEST pizza I've ever tasted.

I think one of the things I've enjoyed most is being able to eat vegetables again. Sure I could have cooked them until they were mushy, but why? I mean, that's like eating baby food. Talk about yucko. 

But now, veggies are front and center.

One of my favorite summer salads is avocado-tomato salad. It's deliciously quick and simple.

This is pretty much all you need, along with some olive oil, salt and pepper.

So first, we need to cut up our avocado. The easiest way to do that is to cut it in half and remove the seed.

The cut each half in half. If it's a large avocado, cut each half in thirds.

Now peel off the skin.

Yep, just peel that baby back.

And cut cubes into a bowl.

Now cut up your tomatoes and add them.

Drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and lemon or lime juice (this helps prevent the avocados from turning brown, and brown avocados rank right up there wish mushy vegetables), then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste and toss together.

Heaven in a bowl.

Not to mention a meal in itself if you're me. Makes a great lunch.

Now while this recipe is super easy, I can make it even easier.

After cutting up your avocado and tomato, drizzle in some Italian dressing, toss and you're done. 

You could even add some fresh basil.

Either way, you can't go wrong.

So good, so refreshing.

So simple.

What are some simple things you'd miss if you had to do without?