Once again it is salad weather. In warmer weather, I put away all the heavier, heartier meals, and opt for the lighter meals instead. We eat a lot of salads in the spring and summer. And my salads are always loaded with plenty of fresh vegetables and plenty of fresh flavors.
It is also that time of year where my backyard is getting invaded by all the fresh lemon verbena that grows abundantly. Every year, I find more and more all throughout my yard. This year, I am even noticing some in the front yard too. There is absolutely NO way I can ever get through it all, but every year, I try my best to use as much of it as I can. I just love using it. I made a lemon-basil vinaigrette to go with our salads, using my lemon verbena for the first time this season.
This is just the beginning of the lemon verbena invasion. I never complain though. I love the fresh lemony fragrance and the fresh lemony taste it adds to everything.
When I make salads, I make SALADS! I always think I am going to make them smaller than I do, and by the time I finish adding little bits of this and little bits of that, my salads end up huge. One time, one of Larry’s brothers came over for lunch, and we had salads out on the deck. He made the mistake of thinking it was going to be a small salad and that we were going to be eating light. Silly Randy. He quickly learned that was not to be the case. But, he ate it all anyway.
There is no right or wrong way to make a salad. Often times I make them with leftover meats. Sometimes it’s steak, sometimes chicken or shrimp or pork. But I always use a ton of fresh vegetables. This time I used some of our leftover steak. I also added the rest of my shredded carrot slaw, No Fiesta for Cinco de Mayo This year fresh green beans, mushrooms, red and green onions, a large yellow heirloom tomato, cheese (for Larry), avocado and toasted pepitas (for me). I topped it all with my lemon-basil vinaigrette.
Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
about 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, stems removed
about 1/3 cup fresh lemon verbena, stems removed, optional
1 TBSP garlic
1-2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1 TBSP honey
Mix everything together, either by hand or in a food processor, until it is all blended together. If mixing by hand, chop the basil and lemon verbena fine first.
You can use this as either a dressing for salads, or as a marinade for meats. This time I used it as my dressing for my salads. I have some left over that I am going to use as a marinade for something different. Stay tuned. …….
Stay well and stay safe Everyone. ‘Til next time.
Wao! Looks delicious!!
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Thank you.
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Wonderful! I love lemony flavors!
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I just love lemon. 🙂
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I need some salad now….!!!
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There is never a bad time for a salad. 🙂
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Healthy Post 👌
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Thank you.
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😊
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I love salads! These look great.
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Thank you. I love salads too, but I am a “fair weather” salad person. 🙂
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I think some mushrooms crashed the party 🙂
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🙂 🙂 🙂 I LOVE mushrooms, but you certainly don’t have to use them if you don’t like them.
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I just wasn’t expecting to see them from your ingredient list. And yes, I’m one who picks them off pizza and makes extra for others lol.
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I will ALWAYS eat your mushrooms for you. 🙂
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You got it!
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Cool beans!
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Salad weather is my favorite weather! Thanks for sharing 🙂 – Danielle
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Great looking salad!!
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Thank you.
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Salads are the foundation for a meal. Or a meal in a bowl. 😋🌿
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Exactly! 🙂
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simple, healthy, and delicious (assuming the meat is halal).
Thanks and warm regards!
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Thank you. I did not use halal meat, but you certainly can. 🙂
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My pleasure! 😊👍🏽
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I hear ya. My salads are big, too.
There’s something weird about the texture of fresh mushrooms, though.
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When we were holding the stingray, they feel like a wet mushroom. 🙂 🙂
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Fabulous. We love salads over the summer too. I’ll up the ante with our lettuce and rocket (from our veg patch), goat cheese, free range chili pork sausage and avocado salad, dressed with olive oil and balsamic reduction topped off with edible violas and brassica flowers: https://myhomefarm.co.uk/best-salad-of-the-year-so-far
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You win! That sounds AWESOME!!!!!! 🙂
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