Monthly Archives: June 2016

Summer just flipped over on the calendar so it’s time to start eating like it.

We’ve curated some favorite summer salads that are easy, healthy, and tastier than anything you’ll find in the bottom of fast food paper bag.

 

1. Panzanella With Marinated Chickpeas and Chimichurri

(via howsweeteats.com)

You had me at “thick cubes of italian bread”.  And homemade chimichurri?!  It’s too much to ask for, but I’ll take it.  Get the recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad with Ginger Peanut Dressing

(via The Ambitious Kitchen)

Monique at The Ambitious Kitchen knocked it out of the park with this vegan and gluten-free quinoa-based salad.  It’s hearty, crunchy, and best of all, peanut-buttery with a thai-inspired sauce your friends will talk about for days.

 

 

 

 

 

3. BLT Pasta Salad

(via life-in-the-lofthouse.com)

No summer salad repertoire is complete without a) Ranch Dressing and b) a pasta salad of some description.  Voila!  This BLT Pasta Salad, which can be thrown together in just a few minutes.  Get the recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Crunchy Asian Ramen Noodle Salad

(via gimmesomeoven.com)

Here’s a fun twist on the crunchy ramen noodle salad that has appeared at literally every American BBQ since the dawn of time (I’m pretty sure that’s not an exaggeration).

The addition of edamame, avocado, and sliced mango give this classic salad a sweet and creamy twist.  Find the recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Berry Salad in Honey Mascarpone

(via carlsbadcravings.com)

I actually hate fruit salad.  It’s usually filled with melon, and let’s be honest here, I always feel cheated when the melon-to-berry ratio is disproportionate.

This berry salad is a dream, though―full of fresh berries and grapes with no honeydew in sight.  The creamy/sweet/tart honey mascarpone adds the perfect balance.  Get the recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Grilled Watermelon, Feta, and Basil Salad

(via reciperunner.com)

Apparently grilled watermelon is a thing and it’s magical.  If you haven’t tried it, you need to go, now, and do it.  Fire up the BBQ and make it happen.  Check out the full recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Southwestern Chicken Salad With Creamy Cilantro Dressing

(via gimmedelicious.com)

Science has proven that, for a small percentage of the population, cilantro tastes like soap, so I really hope Science is also working on a cure.  I feel bad for people this is true of―cilantro is one of my favorite foods and they are missing out on so much.

Like this recipe, with a creamy cilantro dressing, protein-packed chicken and beans, with a tasty southwestern flair.

 

 

 

 

8. Springtime Cobb Salad

(via howsweeteats.com)

I’ll let it slide that this is technically a “spring” salad since it has the luscious addition of crunchy chickpeas―this salad seriously needs to make it into your summer dinner party rotation.

If you’re serving this at a BBQ, try grilling the asparagus, rather than pan frying for a beautifully sweet and smoky flavor.  Find the recipe here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the perfect balance to a summer salad selection? BBQ!

Be it beef, fish, seafood, veggies, lamb etc, this grilling guide gives you options to achieve varying levels of doneness.

And if you’re looking to upgrade your grill equipment, look no further than Sears summer sale!

1. They kill spiders, often while screaming like a girl.

2. They coach Little League and soccer and basketball with as much passion as if they were coaching in The Pros.

3. Unending dad jokes.

      

4. Rib-crushing bear hugs.

5. Frozen pizza and Oreo dinners when mom’s away.

6. Dads are real-life superheroes.

7. They text us memes we saw two months ago on Reddit (but we still laugh as if it’s the first time we’ve seen it).

8. We’ve heard their “big fish” stories a hundred times, but the size of the fish always changes–and one day we’ll tell our kids about grandpa’s fish story.

9. They put up with a lot of weird things just to make their kids happy.

10. Dads embarrass us at major life milestones, like our first touchdown, prom, and wedding speeches. It’s endearing and we love them for it!

11. They love to make their kids laugh, even if it means self-inflicted, painful slapstick humor.

12. Sometimes their rules don’t make sense, but we know it’s only because they love us.

13. They make the best Santa Claus’s, even if we secretly figured out it was dad years ago.

14. Dads have the “BBQ Sixth Sense”, which allows them to perfectly cook steak, hamburgers, chicken and hot dogs, all while holding a beer and talking about lawn maintenance.

15. The thing we love most about dads is that they come in all shapes and sizes and scenarios.

Some dads are with us from birth. Some dads come into our lives a little bit later. And some dads we’ve already had to say goodbye to.

Sometimes we have two dads or uncles, grandpas, or friends who take care of us as if they were our dad.  Some dads are even doing it on their own.

Whatever your situation is this Father’s Day, take time to show your dad that you love him and appreciate all the little things he does for you and your family!  We love you, dads!