Ah, summer: the season of the salad, when the accompaniment to a meal moves to center stage. When the weather is warm, we naturally gravitate towards light, cool summer fare, and nothing hits the spot more than a crisp, fresh salad. (They are also conveniently bathing suit season-friendly). A good salad makes an easy transition from lunch to dinner and is portable for potlucks and barbeques.
The secret to salad success: aim for contrasting textures and flavors. Vary hot and cold items--like grilled chicken breast on a Caesar salad. Combine sweet and acidic, hot and sour, chewy and crisp. Take advantage of the availability of fresh seasonal fruit which adds vibrant color to summer salads. The possibilities are like the long stretches of summer days themselves: seemingly endless.
Main Dish Salads
From the classics--Salad Niçoise, grilled chicken Caesar--to the adventurous.
Side by Side
Side dishes are what make a mere dinner a meal. What's a barbeque without cornbread, baked beans and collard greens? The appearance of fresh, sweet corn on the cob is reason enough for a summer celebration.
Summer's Abundance
Feeling ambitious? Make your own refrigerator pickles.
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