Serve Up A Summer Salad: Recipes & More

 

This week has been so hot, salads were our "go to" dinners. With all of the fresh produce and fruit, why not? Here's inspiration for your own warm weather meals and side dishes. I've included some really handy tools of the trade, too. Enjoy!

Tomato, Peach & Burrata Salad

This recipe is said to be simple to throw together. I am interested in the tangy honey vinaigrette.

Half Baked Harvest 

Mario Luca Giusti Salad Bowls

Designer of the prettiest acrylic tabletop designs ever! I have rarely seen them go on sale. But you will find his entire line 30% off now at....

Horchow

Mediterranean Wedge Salad

Could there be a better salad to eat with a grilled steak? This recipe is a modern twist on the classic. The dressing is creamy feta.

The Modern Proper

Tomato Knife

I need one of these. It's only sold at....

Williams Sonoma

Blackberry Salad W/Arugula & Basil
So summery and healthy, too. It's tossed up with a Maple Sweetened Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Feasting At Home

Strawberry Buratte Salad

The recipe author says it best: "Arugula with juicy strawberries, crisp cucumbers, creamy burrata cheese, pickled red onions, candied pecans, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette." 

Two Peas & Their Pod

Insalata Siciliana

What a gorgeous salad! It's really Sicily on a plate. The recipe blends the sweetness of oranges, with the sharpness of red onions, and briny olives. Get those super thin onion slices with the OXO Chef's Mandoline.

Williams Sonoma

Individual Acrylic Salad Cup Set

This is so cleverly chic! It's an stylish way to serve a salad to a crowd. You get the cups, a clear mini fork, and best of all, a vial for individual salad dressing. servings.  The salad won't get soggy! This set will earn you hostess with the mostess status!

The Pretty Party Boxx Etsy

Gorgonzola Crusted Steak Salads
This is the way to eat a steak in the summer. If you wish, serve the steak with a little melty cheese warm, over the cool crisp veg.

How Sweet Eats

OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner

One of these days, I am going to order one of these. I believe a spinner is the secret to crisper salads.

Amazon

Basil Green Goddess Dressing
Excited about this recipe. I have oodles of fresh basil growing in the garden. It's herbaceous, creamy and fresh!

Skinny Taste

Summer Nicoise Salad

One of my favorites. Easier for some, this recipe calls for canned tuna. I would likely use fresh tuna, but suit yourself. YUM!

Half Baked Harvest

Bento Box Square Serving Bowl

Love this unexpected serving dish for salads, pasta and more. A few of these would look fab on a buffet or kitchen island. It's glazed stoneware, and dishwasher and microwave safe. $16.95

CB2

Pesto Zoodle Salad

Isn't this stunningly beautiful? Fresh mozzarella, zucchini zoodles ( which I have never made ) roasted pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, and homemade pesto. How could this be anything but good?

The Modern Proper

Garden Vegetable Apron

Made from 100% organic cotton.

Catherine J Designs

Pesto Caprese Panzanella Salad
Pesto changes up this salad staple for Summer. And could grilled bread not be one of the best things ever?

Broma Bakery

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Accessories ForAlfresco Entertaining

Foodie Friday: Veggie Forward Recipes

Earth Day is this Saturday. So this Foodie Friday  features a roundup of recipes that spotlight veggies. These straight from the earth recipes are bright, zesty, crunchy, creamy, and well, just dreamy. You will want to try at least one of them this weekend.

Pasta Primavera

The perfect easy dinner for spring! Fresh lemon juice adds the brightness.

Love & Lemons

Cauliflower Tacos With Mole Sauce

Featuring my favorite veggie, this recipe is chock full of flavor and crunchy ingredients. I have never made mole. Have you? I think I will try it.

Feasting At Home

Marinated Peppers With Mint and Sesame

You will thank me for finding this recipe. It's bright from fresh lemon juice and zest, and oh so versatile. Perfect for adding on top of hummus or serving with grilled bread as above.

Martha Stewart

Asparagus and Brie Puff Pastry with Thyme Honey

Oh my! Why haven't I thought of doing this before? This recipe has got to be delish with these ingredients. Cooking with puff pastry gives me such satisfaction. I know whatever it is, the pastry takes the food to another level.

Half Baked Harvest

Guacamole Salad

Consider this your new favorite dip in salad form. This is the perfect dish to accompany tacos or enchiladas. Also it is what you do with avocados that are ready to go!

How Sweet Eats

French Potato Salad

This looks like the perfect side dish for a grilled dinner. No mayo used at all! It's healthy, light, and oh so yummy thanks to tarragon, parsley, chives, and a yummy Dijon Vinaigrette.

Feasting at Home

Cheesy Baked Asparagus with Gruyere cheese, Garlic, and Bacon

Oh what a beautiful dish! This will be a side dish on repeat this spring. The recipe author asks that we don't skip the garlic. I wouldn't think of it.

Julia's Album

Spring Vegetable Jumble with Lemon-Tarragon Butter

A beautiful and easy dish that screams spring. And doesn't tarragon just add a wonderful touch to everything? 

Food52

Spring Pistachio Pesto Pizza With Asparagus & Ricotta

I always put my own homemade pesto on pizza, so I know this is a tasty addition. This pizza has spring written all over it.

How Sweet Eats

Creamy Mushroom Risotto

I just made a version of this for Easter. What makes this recipe so appealing, is that you can add whatever you want to the basic risotto recipe. My tip is to use mushrooms other than button such as porcini, shiitake, oyster etc. The more exotic, the richer the flavor.

Three Olives Branch

Roasted Mixed Potatoes with Spring Herbs and Burrata

These potatoes are elevated and dressed up for spring. I mean Burrata with potatoes? Yes please!

Half Baked Harvest

Spinach, Chive, and Yogurt Soup with Grilled Scallions

Isn't this pretty? This is a chilled soup, perfect for the warmer days ahead. The recipe comes from a Belgium restaurant, The spinach and chives are blended with ice cubes to make sure that the soup retains its' bright green color. Interesting, right?

Saveur

Spinach & Artichoke-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Am I the only person that has never made cheesy artichoke dip? The idea of having guests double dip into a bowl just never appealed to me. But these are single servings, so I can deal. Serve these with a salad, and you have a very satisfying meal.

Eating Well

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Foodie Friday: Cooking With Red Wine

It's #NationalRedWineDay, and we are celebrating with 14 boozy recipes.  If you are like me, you take any opportunity to cook or bake with alcohol. Cooking with wine is the perfect way to bring a subtle flavor and a new level of complexity to any dish. I do it all of the time. In fact, any time a savory recipe calls for water, add wine instead. Today's recipe roundup features, sweet and savory dishes that promise to impress your guests and tantalize your tastebuds. 

So pop a cork and get cooking!

Red Wine Cherry Tomato

Crostini is simply chic. I have noticed that men especially enjoy them. The tomatoes have been roasted with a dash of balsamic for tang, and a good helping of red wine for acidity. The result is some serious flavor.

Wry Toast Eats

Short Rib Meatballs With Red 

Wine Sauce

Just when I thought you couldn't improve upon the classic meatball, this recipe comes into our lives. The ground short ribs add the richness.

Williams Sonoma Taste

Smoked Ancho Chile Salted Steaks With Drunken Burst Cherries + Burrata

Isn't this an interesting combination? The wine comes in with the drunken cherries. The best news, this recipe works with any cut of steak.

Half Baked Harvest

Red Wine Chocolate Snack Cake

I looked at quite a few red wine cake recipes for this post. This one stood out to me. It had me at the word "snack." Sometimes you just need a bite of chocolate and a sip of wine to get you through the day. The ganache topping with flaky sea salt must be everything!

Food and Wine Magazine

Red Wine–Dijon Vinaigrette

One of the things I love to make is a good vinaigrette. The sky is the limit as to the flavors you can create. The red wine used in this dressing has been reduced on the stove. How interesting!

Food and Wine

Turkey Sliders With Red Wine Caramelized Onions & Goat Cheese

I love a good turkey burger. This recipe has all of the extras one could want. The red wine caramelized onions are the big stars here. I can only imagine the depth of flavors!  By the way, this recipe calls for ground turkey breast. 

Looks fab!

Broma Bakery

Sangria Cupcakes

I am not sure if I would take a sip of wine or a bite of the cupcake first. This is a real grown up treat. The cupcakes are made with fruit in the batter and frosted with a red wine buttercream. Imagine licking that bowl!

The First Year Blog

Read Wine Steak Marinade

I recently marinated a grass fed strip steak. It was my first time, and it won't be my last. Fabulous! My marinade had no recipe but it did have red wine in it.

 Try it!

Eat Well 101

 Ratatouille Tart

A good way to use up all of the Summer produce. This beautiful tart would make for a lovely lunch! 

Food and Wine

Strawberry Red Wine Sorbet

Isn't this the most luscious looking sorbet? I make ice cream weekly, but have never made sorbet. This recipe looks like it would be worth the effort.

Havoc In The Kitchen

Red Wine + Goat Cheese Risotto with Caramelized Mushrooms

This is one of my very favorites of this recipe roundup. Maybe it is because I love every element of this dish. Making risotto is good for the soul, and a test of your patience, for sure. 

How Sweet Eats

Red Wine Portobello Burger With "Mozzarella" {Vegan}

Picture proof that you don't need meat to make a hearty burger. This recipe is said to be slightly smoky and just a

 little bit spicy. 

Veganosity

Red Wine Ice Cream Float

Crazy easy to make, and an elegant ending to a beautiful meal. Only three ingredients needed for this unique cocktail/dessert.

Likes N Trends

Sticky Red Wine Glazed Wings

My record of never having had wings is still intact. However, even I have to admit that these look good. They are said to be sweet, savory, and boozy! Now that's a tasty trio.

Sweet and Savory Meals

Beat The Heat With Cool Recipes