Summer Salads

My mother's favorite summer salad consists of three simple ingredients. Juicy tomatoes, rich mozzarella, and fragrant basil are a surprisingly tasty trio in this classic Insalata Caprese. Sometimes we add a delicate balsamic for extra flavor, but omitting the dressing works too.

This works wonderfully as a starter or side dish with larger meals. We enjoyed it at a family barbecue last night...grilled veggies, smoked chicken, and baked beans :) Minimal ingredients and quick slicing time made preparation a breeze!

Here are a few more ways to get your summer salad fix:

• Combine chopped broccoli florets with dried cranberries, toasted sunflower seeds, and red onions. Toss lightly with mayonnaise and salt / pepper to taste.

     *for a lighter dressing, sub mayo for olive oil & vinegar

• Gently toss blueberries with field greens, candied walnuts, crumbled blue or gorgonzola cheese (optional) and serve with a mild vinaigrette

• Layer slices of avocado and grapefruit (can be substituted with another citrus fruit like oranges) - this one sounds a bit odd, but it's delicious! The avocado balances the acidity of the grapefruit and makes for a fantastic pairing

Enjoy mixing & matching ingredients to your heart's content - there's no way to be too creative here! I'm curious to know: what's your favorite summer salad recipe?