8 Interesting End of Summer Salads

We love to eat salads especially in the summer and there are so many ways to eat them.  I never tire of creating interesting combinations. Today I decided to collect photos of 8 different salads that I have made at home in the past or enjoyed in a restaurant. 

Beach Walk - Horseshoe Crabs

Look what I spotted on the beach on my morning walk while we were at the beach? 

If you have been reading my blog, you know that we just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this past week at the beach with our kids and grandkids. We spent 7 glorious rain-free days enjoying the beach, the beach house, each other, and the local restaurants and entertainment.

Roasted Vegetable Pasta Primavera

Looking for a delicious, light, and healthy pasta entree that is loaded with flavorful roasted summer vegetables, tasty olives, capers, and artichoke hearts? This easy vegan pasta primavera is it!!

Going To The Beach

We are on vacation, finally celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary (it was this past March) with our kids and grandkids. 

This is the most special vacation ever for us to all to be together. 

We are in a house with 5 bedrooms and 5 baths with our own private beach in Delaware. I live in Pennsylvania, so it is about a 3 hour ride.

It took a lot of prep to pack up to go. Here's what I did !

Mason Jar Salad Prep- A Real Time Saver

Are you pressed for time or energy, but still want to eat healthy salads and meals? Finding ways to eat healthier may require finding ways to prep smarter. Mason Jars are the answer for me.

I love eating salads, but I hate the mess and the prep of making them daily. My solution is to make one GIANT salad on Sunday and divide it into mason jars for the next 5 days. 

Easy Summer Gazpacho- Chilled, Thick , and Creamy

What makes this summer gazpacho thick and creamy? 

In addition to the tomatoes, cucumber, and red peppers, this chilled summer soup contains dehydrated potato flakes which gives the soup a creamy thicker consistency.

Food Processor

Gazpacho can be made in a food processor or blender, but I prefer to use the food processor to keep it somewhat chunky. For a smoother consistency, use the blender.

A refreshing chilled gazpacho hits the spot during this oppressive heat wave! (I'm in love with summer produce). Today the temperature hit almost 100 degrees- so who feels like cooking? Not me!!! 

That's the beauty of gazpacho.  It requires no cooking and uses the ripe seasonal vegetables that are flooding the farmer's market stands right now. 

I feel so good and earthy after I browse the farmer's market, select produce for the week, and go home with some of the freshest, richest tasting, wholesome, nutrient packed vegetables grown right here in Bucks County, Pa. 

The star ingredient in gazpacho is tomatoes and what better time to get sun-ripe sweet local tomatoes than in August! 

I used cherry tomatoes

You can use any type of farm/home grown tomato that you like, but I decided to use farm grown cherry tomatoes for this gazpacho. Why? 

First of all I had 3 containers of cherry tomatoes that needed to be used/eaten.  Second, I thought that the thinner skin on the cherry tomato would just disappear into the gazpacho and it did. The cherry tomatoes were sweet and less acidic making a simple very tasty gazpacho.

Sour Cream ? 

If you eat dairy (we don't), typically gazpacho is served with some sour cream. There are recipes for vegan sour cream. I found an easy recipe on the blog Cookie and Kate which is a very popular vegetarian blog that I frequent. 

Google vegan sour cream and find lots of similar recipes all over the web. Most use cashew nuts as a base for that creamy white look. Vegan sour cream is great for anyone dairy free, vegan, or kosher who needs a parve recipe.

Can gazpacho be made in advance? 

Yes! since it needs a minimum of 8 hours to chill, it is a perfect summer appetizer/starter that you can serve to guests or your family  and make it in advance. Make it in the morning and enjoy it for dinner. Or even make it the day before. Gazpacho keeps for about 4 days covered in the refrigerator. Remember to stir before serving.

Talk about adding more vegetables to your diet- Gazpacho is a winner.

Author: Judee Algazi

Prep Time: 5-10 minutes

Cook Time: none

Serves: 2

Double the recipe to serve 4

Ingredients: 

1 pint size container of farm grown sweet cherry tomatoes, washed

1/2 large English cucumber, chopped

1/4 of a red onion, chopped

1 clove of fresh garlic, sliced in half

1/2 large red pepper or 5 colorful mini peppers, seeded and sliced

1/4 cup of potato flakes

1/2 teaspoon of salt (or more to taste)

Optional: fresh oregano, basil, hot pepper, or thyme (I did not use any)

Directions: 

Place the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and red peppers in the bowl of the food processor (or blender). Process until consistency is on the smooth side. Add potato flakes and any seasoning of choice (I only added salt). Divide between two 6 ounce cocktail glasses. Chill for at least 8 hours and serve. Garnish with chopped vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, or a little nut milk if desires.

My Notes

1. If you make this gazpacho with store bought tomatoes, it may not have the right flavor. The best flavor is from ripe and locally grown farm or homegrown produce.

2. If your produce is not as tasty, you might want to add a little vinegar or lemon juice to enhance the flavors. 

3. I did not blanch the tomatoes to remove the skin. I found the skin on the cherry tomato very thin and totally disappeared in the gazpacho and I think the skin would disappear using any tomato. Let me know if you try it.

4. I must confess that sometimes I can't wait 8 hours to eat my gazpacho. I have chilled it for as little as 4 hours. It wasn't as refreshing, but the flavor was there and I enjoyed it just the same.

5. If you do not have potato flakes (which are sold in most supermarkets)- simply leave it out. I've made it both ways and it is still very good. I buy this one- it say instant mashed potatoes from Whole Foods.

Sun Protection and Tropical Fruits

What do tropical fruits have to do with protecting us from the sun's harmful rays? Nature has it all figured out. 

Did you know that eating fruit during the summer is not only delicious and healthy, but it plays a roll in fortifying our diet to have the protective nutrients needed to protect us from some of the sun's harmful rays and possibly even help prevent sunburn.

WHAT'S IN MY KITCHEN - AUGUST

What's IN MY KITCHEN this month? 

I've got lots of new things in my kitchen this month, but after 3 weeks without a refrigerator, my new refrigerator is first on my list this month!

Crispy Tofu Croutons Bake in the Air Fryer or Oven

Delicious crispy tofu anyone? (baked not fried)

Use your air-fryer or oven to make this simple easy flavorful baked tofu dish that is quite tasty and can be used as crispy "crouton-like" topping on a salad or as a protein over rice or cauliflower rice.