Salad Recipes to Keep You Cool

By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Who wants to spend time in a hot kitchen when summer calls for recipes that beat the heat?

See below for three of my go-to salad favorites. These are tasty and easy!

Easy Broccoli Salad

3 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
6 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoon sugar

In a bowl, combine the broccoli, cheese, bacon, sunflower seeds, and onion. In another bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, and sugar. Pour over broccoli mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Yield: 4-5 servings.

Source – tasteofhome.com

Mango Avocado Shrimp Salad

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon sugar
2 large firm-ripe mangoes
2 medium firm-ripe avocados
2/3 cup each thinly sliced green onion and chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon minced fresh hot red or green chili (or 1/2 tsp. dried red chili flakes) Optional
1 pound small peeled cooked shrimp

In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, oil, and sugar until sugar dissolves.

2. Dice mangoes and avocados into 3/4-in. cubes; add to bowl. Add green onion, cilantro, chili, and shrimp. Mix gently. Serve or cover and chill for up to 1 hour.

Source – myrecipes.com

The Quintessential Chicken Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 cups chopped cooked chicken (about 5 chicken breasts)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup diced celery (about 3 celery stalks)
1 cup halved red seedless grapes
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup roughly chopped almonds, toasted

Whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard and lemon juice in a large bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients until well blended. Serve with crunchy, buttery crackers or on whole-grain bread with lettuce and tomato.

Source – myrecipes.com

Do you have a favorite summer salad recipe to share? Let’s chat!