Summer Salad

This has been my go-to salad all summer long. With strawberries being as cheap as they are this year, I can’t get enough of it. Doesn’t it look yummy?

Summer Salad:

• romaine lettuce
• strawberries, sliced
• grilled chicken, sliced
• almonds or pecans
• shredded colby or cheddar cheese (not pictured)

When it comes to salad dressings, I’m extremely picky. I wasn’t always, but lately I  have a hard time settling for anything store bought. If I’m in the mood to splurge on a nice bottled dressing, I’ll either go with Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinaigrette or Trader Joe’s Balsamic Vinaigrette. Both have a subtle sweetness that goes really well with the strawberries and nuts. The salad above was inspired by one that was served at a baby shower I attended last year. The hostess shared the homemade dressing below for what she called “Town and Country Salad”:

Poppyseed Dressing:

• 1/4 onion, grated
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/2 C canola oil
• 1/3 C apple cider vinegar
• 1 t dry mustard
• 1 1/2 t poppy seeds

So good. A little bit of work to prepare.

I also resurrected a recipe I got from a friend’s mom way back in middle school. I think the dressing was inspired by a local restaurant. I remember trying the dressing at her house one night and loving it. I got the recipe from her and proceeded to lose it and find it over and over again for the next 10 years. If you saw the drawers in my mother’s kitchen you would understand. (Sorry Mom, I outed you.)

I don’t even know what to call this one…:

• 4 T brown sugar
• 1 t salt
• 6 T rice vinegar (KA-ME brand is good)
• 1/2 C oil

Anyway, there you have it. If you try it out, enjoy!