Watermelon - That's What We're Having Today!

  Whew! It's HOT outside, humid, and the temperature is approaching closer to 100 these last few weeks.  And a tasty way to cool down when the weather is oppressive, WATERMELON. Watermelons this time of year are so sweet and refreshing.  I bought two big, juicy, seedless watermelons this past week.  I cut both of them up and ate it for snacks or dessert, and I used part of  them in a salad, that's right a salad!  I am  trying to eat lighter with less calories everyday, but who even feels like eating, or cooking in this hot weather for that matter. So to cool off a bit, I made a Watermelon and Mixed Spring Greens Salad With Feta and Balsamic Glaze. I know it sounds crazy, but it was delicious. Easy to put together and served with grilled, herb marinated, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (grilled in the house, in the air conditioning of course!).  That was it, no potatoes, no rice, no other side dishes.  The hubby was very happy, in fact he ate three of those chicken breasts and polished off the salad, I couldn't stop him from eating!

In a salad bowl - 3 cups Mixed Spring Greens, 2 cups cubed seedless Watermelon, 1/2 cup of Feta Cheese, drizzle on 3 tablespoons Balsamic Glaze.  Toss and serve.  As always, if you like more of any ingredient, be my guest, add more.  Sliced almonds are also very good in this, to add more texture to the salad.

 Great looking meal!

 And pretty darn good looking on a plate.  I had my greens and my protein, it was awesome!

Bring on the Summer Fruit!

Summer is abundant with all kinds of fresh fruit and you know fresh is always better.  Here is a new way to use fruit in salads that is refreshing, and filling, on hot summer nights. It always tastes good, no matter what fruit you are using. Try it, you will like it, and it will become a new favorite of yours too.  Recipe below.

Pull out your greens, fruit, nuts and cheese

Layer it

OOOH looks so good! Now drizzle on the dressing.

Spinach Salad with Fruit and Feta

Ingredients:

1 bag of fresh spinach, rinsed and stems removed

½ bag of mixed spring greens, rinsed

10 strawberries rinsed, hulled and sliced

1 cup of blueberries, rinsed and stems removed

¾ cup of crumbled feta cheese

½ cup of sliced toffee almonds

Build salad by layering spinach and mixed greens.  Add strawberries, blueberries, feta then the almonds.  Top with dressing.  If you like you can add sliced fresh peaches, pear or kiwi.

Sweet and Sour Dressing

Ingredients:

¼ cup red wine vinegar

¼ apple cider vinegar

½ cup canola oil

1/3  cup of sugar, use more if you like a sweeter dressing

¼ tsp paprika

1 tsp poppy seeds

1 tsp sesame seeds

Measure all ingredients into a container or jar with a lid and shake vigorously until combined.  Serve over the salad.