When summer hits, the last place I want to be is inside working on a hot stove/oven. So for most of my summer dinners, I turn to salads.
Salads get a bad rap for being boring/girly/lame/you-name-it. But to me, they’re refreshing. Crunchy. Flavorful. Light. Easy. And they’re variable. The options are endless, people! So, salad-haters, take your disdain elsewhere. And if you’re a salad-lover like me, try some of these below (and leave your own favorites in the comments)!
Monday: Kale and Quinoa Salad
I went with a vegetarian option for #meatlessmonday:
- Massaged kale – I use about 2 cups per person. Destem, drizzle with olive oil, and knead/massage it for about a minute. The leaves will become greener and softer (much better for a salad).
- Roasted chickpeas – About 1/3 cup per person
- Quinoa – About 1/2 cup per person. I prefer to use white quinoa because it’s fluffier than red.
- Avocado – 1/4 per person
- Drizzle olive oil and lemon for dressing
Tuesday: Mexican Chicken Salad
A good option for a lighter #TacoTuesday:
- Romaine – 2 cups per person
- Pan roasted corn – 1/2 cup per person
- Grilled chicken (spiced with cumin, cayenne, and garlic) – 1/2 breast per person
- Black beans – 1/2 cup per person
- Avocado – 1/4 per person
- Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
- Tortilla chips – a handful crumbled on top
Wednesday: Berry Chicken Salad
- Baby spinach – 2 cups per person
- Blueberries – 1/2 cup per person
- Strawberries – 1/2 cup per person
- Grilled chicken – 1/2 breast per person
- Feta cheese – sprinkled on top
- Pecans – sprinkled on top
- Pomegranate-blueberry dressing – drizzled on top
Thursday: Shrimp Cobb(ish) Salad
- Massaged kale – 2 cups per person
- Hard-boiled eggs – 2 per person
- Shrimp (pan-seared in cajun) – 5 per person
- Cucumber slices – 1/2 cup per person
- Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
- Greek yogurt ranch dressing – drizzled on top
Friday: Jalapeno-Cheddar Burger Salad
- Romaine – 2 cups per person
- Pico de gallo – 1/4 cup per person
- Grass-fed ground beef – 1/4 lb per person
- Baked sweet potato fries – 1/2 sweet potato per person
- Cheddar cheese – 1/4 cup shredded per person
- Jalapeno – as many slices as you can handle
- Sriracha – drizzled on top
Saturday: Waldorf(ish) Salad
- Baby spinach – 2 cups per person
- Apple chunks – 1 apple per person
- Grilled chicken – 1/2 breast per person
- Feta cheese – sprinkled on top
- Pecans – sprinkled on top
- Pomegranate-blueberry dressing – drizzled on top
Sunday: Fattoush Salad with Chicken
So there you have it! And if you’re looking for a healthy week, salads are a great way to get back on track after a weekend of bingeing.
What salad recipes should I try next?