It’s a Great Day for a Salad

Sometimes I just crave a good, healthy salad, particularly when it is super hot outside.  Our summer started off late and slow, and was very cool in the beginning, but when it hit, it hit HARD and HOT.  We just broke 2 heat records for September, and today is ONLY the 6th.  Salads are also quick and easy to make when I am pressed for time, which has been quite frequently lately.  This one was especially quick and easy, because I used up a lot of my leftovers, added a few more vegetables and then tossed everything together.  I also made a delicious honey-lime-cilantro dressing to top the salad.  The sweet-hot combination just brought everything to life.

The beauty of making salads is that anything goes.  You can use whatever you have on hand, no matter how little the quantity, and use whatever you like.  There are no rules when it comes to making salads.  I already had some lettuce and tomatoes cut up, but I added a few more tomatoes, a shredded carrot, sliced cucumbers, green onions and some sweet roasted peppers and tossed it all together.

IMG_8829

IMG_8830

My salad needed a good, flavorful dressing, so I threw a few things together in the food processor and, voila, my honey-lime-cilantro dressing was created.

IMG_8826

Honey-Lime-Cilantro Dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup lime juice

1 TBSP garlic

1 jalapeno, rough cut and seeded

2 TBSP fresh cilantro, stems removed

1 TBSP honey

red pepper flakes to taste

 

Put everything together in a food processor and blend until it is all mixed together.  Pour over your favorite salad.

IMG_8827

IMG_8828

To top our salads and to add our much needed protein, I used up the rest of our ahi tuna Tapas in Spain/Tapas at Home – Part 3 – Tapas in Sevilla and some leftover chicken.  Larry had some leftover cheese bread with his, as well as cheese on top of his salad, and I opted for some warmed ciabiatta with a olive oil and balsamic dipping sauce instead, and of course a good chardonnay on the side.  Dinner was delicious, and done in about 10 minutes.  Nothing goes to waste in our house.  I am always recreating with my leftovers.  I have earned my title as “The Queen of Leftovers”.  🙂

IMG_8831

IMG_8832

 

 

Author: ajeanneinthekitchen

I have worked in the restaurant and catering industry for over 35 years. I attended 2 culinary schools in Southern California, and have a degree in culinary arts from the Southern California School of Culinary Arts, as well as a few other degrees in other areas. I love to cook and I love to feed people.

35 thoughts on “It’s a Great Day for a Salad”

      8. Of course you are invited!!!!!! You are a wonderful chef, with so many great ideas. Plus I would really like to get to know you better. I think you and I think a lot a like. Surprsie me with whatever you would like. Send pictures of you, with as much of a story about you as would like to share, pictures and recipes of your dish and your contact information to my email address at ljbjej@q.com. I am looking forward to your submission. 🙂 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a comment