Revisiting Summer Salads

I don't know what the weather's like where you live, but it's hot here in Texas. So today we're going to revisit a couple of my favorite cool and refreshing summer salads.

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?

Award-winning author Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

My Favorite Kale Salad

Yes,  you read that right. I have a favorite kale salad. Now, it's no secret that our friend Cate Nolan loves kale. So today, I thought I'd revisit a kale slaw I discovered a few years back, just to show her that I'm not a kale hater. In reality, I really do like this salad, however it does take a little time to prep.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 head kale, stems removed and sliced thin
• 1 large carrot, grated
• juice of one orange
• juice of half a lemon
• salt
• ground black pepper1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thin
•  1 slice bacon, cooked crisp and chopped 
• 1 rounded Tbsp. mayonnaise

Place the kale into a salad bowl.

Toss with carrot, orange juice, lemon juice, and salt. Using your hands, rub the acid into the kale. Basically, pretend you're giving it a massage. 

Set kale aside.

Prepare a large bowl of ice water and a saucepan with boiling water.

Place the sliced onion into the boiling water for 15-30 seconds.

Remove and immediately plunge into ice water to stop the cooking process. This removes the bitter taste of the raw onion.

Drain the water and blot the onions with a paper towel.

Add the onion, bacon, olive oil, salt, and pepper to kale and toss.

Add the mayonnaise and mix the slaw well.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Can be made several hours in advance.

Just look at all those vibrant colors.

This is so yummy, y'all. That citrusy flavor lends just enough sweetness to make it addicting. Making it a perfect addition to your summer salad list. After all, IT HAS BACON! Now how could that be bad?

Here at the ranch, we are between grandkids. One left Sunday and the next group will be in just in time for the fourth. Can you believe it's already the 4th of July? Wasn't it just winter? I'm still working on my menu, so I'm hoping you'll tell me about some of your favorite 4th of July celebration dishes. 

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.

One last summer salad

I know I've gone kind of overboard on salads this summer, but since this is technically the last day of summer, I'm safe for one last summer salad. (Plus the temps are still flirting with 90 here and the humidity is just plain gross!)

Honestly, this is a case of last is BEST!

This was an I'm starving, what can I eat kind of salad, and OH.MY.WORD it was delicious!

And so simple!

I started with the lettuce that made a salad convert of me this summer - my baby romaine mix.

I added a chopped up honeycrisp apple.

Some toasted sunflower seeds!

Red wine vinegar and oil - just splashed it on.

And what made it a meal a filet of salmon poached in honey mustard.

The flavors blended so beautifully and it was a salad that was both filling and so tasty.

So are you done with salads now that autumn is in the air?

Or are you looking forward to some autumn versions?