05

Apr

Cool Off with a Summer Salad

Filed Under (Articles) by Webmaster on 05-04-2009

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 Cool Off with a Summer Salad

 
With summer days come hot, humid weather and everyone trying to find a way to stay cool. Summer also means light meals that are cool and refreshing. One of the better ways to accomplish this is to have a salad. Not just any salad but a summer salad.
 
Summer salads made with fruits and vegetables are cool and refreshing. They aren’t heavy and can be quite nutritional. These salads are also easy to throw together, which is great on those days when running here and there can take its toll.
 
What works best in a summer salad? Lettuce of course tops the list. It’s cool and refreshing and even the crisp sound gives us a little relief. There are many other foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables that also work well in a summer salad.
 
Fruits and vegetables are plentiful in the summer months. Farmer’s markets, fruit and vegetable stands and even the grocery stores are filled with the wonderful smells and colors of these fresh little wonders.
 
Let’s start with vegetable salads. What vegetables make the best types of salad? Just about any will work. Tomatoes and cucumbers are some favorite vegetables. Tomatoes comes in all shapes and colors in the summer months. Everyone knows about red tomatoes, but yellow and orange are also quite popular. From cherry tomatoes to large beefy tomatoes, there’s quite a variety to choose from.
 
Peppers are also a great veggie addition to your salads. Bell peppers can add color and taste to a summer salad. Green, red, yellow, purple and orange peppers not only look pretty, but they taste great too. Don’t forget the squash and zucchini. These give your salad a little crunch and a lot of flavor.
 
What about fruit? Fruit is also in abundance during the summer months. Strawberries, raspberries, apples, peaches and pears along with fruits of the citrus family can be found very easily. 
 
Try a citrus salad. Mix oranges, lemons and limes together. Add some yogurt for a little sweetness and sprinkle on the nuts. Citrus fruits not your thing? Try strawberries, bananas and grapes. Mix in marshmallows and some whipped topping. Add a cherry or two and you have a fruit salad that will satisfy even the pickiest eater. 
 
Any number of fruits and vegetables can be tossed together to form a great summer salad. Use your imagination and concoct a different salad each day of the week. Using fresh ingredients and keeping them cool will allow you to experience the awesome taste of these salads, without sweating to death in the process.

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20

Mar

Make it a Pasta Salad Night

Filed Under (Articles) by Webmaster on 20-03-2009

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 Make it a Pasta Salad Night

 
In recent years pasta salads have taken center stage on salad bars everywhere. People are bringing them to potluck dinners, creating them for family reunions and ordering them in their favorite restaurants. Why not create your own pasta salad for the dinner table at home? It’s easy and even better, they are delicious.
 
Pasta comes in many shapes, sizes and colors these days. From angel hair pasta to spaghetti and elbow macaroni to tiny shells, pasta has claimed its place on the grocery shelves. Pasta comes in so many different varieties it might be hard to decide which one to use.
 
Here are a few examples to help get you started, but one favorite pasta salad that has been around for years at picnics and family reunions is macaroni salad. It can be made in many different varieties. With a little mayonnaise, mustard, dill, sweet pickles and even hard boiled eggs you can make macaroni salad in no time. Add onion or even cubes of cheese to give it your own personal touch.
 
Tired of those mashed potatoes or rice dishes every night? Why not make a pasta salad in their place. Pasta salads make great side dishes. They go well with pork, beef, chicken and fish. Everyone will enjoy the change.
 
When making pasta salad, remember to cool the pasta before adding any vegetables or dressings.   Fresh or frozen vegetables can be added to these great creations. For the dressings most pasta salads are made with Italian or Ranch dressing but you can always use your favorite to see how it tastes.
 
Pasta salads are a great take along for a potluck dinner or family picnic. These salads are simple to make but taste great. Shrimp works well in a salad of this type. Orzo or Tabbouleh make wonderful bases for picnic style salads. 
 
Orzo and Tabbouleh are a type of pasta that resembles rice grains. These types of pasta can be used to create warm or cold salads that will stretch to feed a crowd. 
 
Pasta salads can be quite healthy also. Use wheat pasta, add fresh vegetables and a low calorie or low fat dressing. It will taste so good no one will even realize just how healthy it is. 
 
Pasta salads are easy to make and the possibilities are endless. Start with your favorite pasta as the base line. Add your favorite vegetables, nuts or other favorite ingredients and a dressing. Before you know it you will have a salad that everybody wants the recipe for. 
 
Pasta salad is a dish that anyone can create. There are plenty of pasta salad recipes that we already know and love. Mix up the menu a bit and add pasta salad as a side dish or main dish every once in a while.

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