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A week of Summer Salads

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)!

A Week Of Summer Salads

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?