# Cool Summer Salad: A Colorful and Invigorating Treat

This summer salad begins with crisp greens, accompanied by crunchy, juicy vegetables, blended in a zesty dressing, and topped off with a dash of nuts and cheese. It’s the ideal dish for warm days, providing a rush of flavors and textures that embrace the season.

## Taste Experience

There’s nothing quite like a crunchy salad packed with veggies and a lively lemon Dijon dressing, harmonized by a touch of sugar and seasoning. The mix of fresh components and a tangy dressing delivers a pleasurable experience for your palate.

## Suggested Tools

To ease the preparation process, think about using a [salad spinner](https://amzlink.to/az0eqhgvkJ1aF) for washing and drying your greens, and a [mandoline](https://amzlink.to/az0O919uRp7f5) for evenly slicing your vegetables.

## Time-Saving Tip

For a speedier preparation, opt for a pre-washed bag of mixed greens. This will conserve your time and effort, letting you concentrate on assembling your salad.

## Preparation Ahead Option

You can prepare the salad up to two days beforehand. To keep the best texture, add the avocado and dressing right before serving.

## Serving Ideas

Elevate this salad into a main course by including your choice of protein, such as [shrimp](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/oven-baked-shrimp/), [cooked chicken](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/oven-baked-chicken-breasts/), diced ham, or [crumbled bacon](https://www.spendwithpennies.com/crispy-air-fryer-bacon/).

## Ingredient Suggestions for Summer Salad

– **Greens**: Select a mix of greens for optimum flavor and texture. Choices include romaine, arugula, kale, baby spinach, iceberg, and red leaf.

– **Vegetables**: Add vibrant and crunchy veggies like cucumbers, radishes, onions, and tomatoes. Leftover sweet corn kernels, spring peas, asparagus, or diced bell peppers can also enhance the color.

– **Nuts & Cheese**: Combine various cheeses such as feta, goat, blue, mozzarella, or parmesan with walnuts, pistachios, sunflower, or pumpkin seeds. Lightly toast the nuts and seeds in a dry skillet first to amplify their taste.

– **Dressing**: Whip up a basic dressing using acid, oil, sweetener, and mustard. If you’re pressed for time, don’t hesitate to use your preferred store-bought dressing.

– **Variations**: Incorporate fruits like blueberries, strawberries, peaches, or pears to enliven the salad. Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, or basil, along with eggs, olives, almonds, or chickpeas, can also boost the flavor.

## Storing Summer Salad

To preserve your salad’s freshness, store the salad and dressing in separate containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy leftovers, mix them with fresh lettuce or vegetables and a splash of fresh dressing. Leftovers can also be used to make wraps filled with your favorite protein.

## Summary

This cool summer salad is not only quick to prepare but also a wonderful way to savor seasonal produce. With its lively colors and refreshing tastes, it’s bound to be a favorite at any summer event. Enjoy the burst of freshness and the health advantages that accompany this delightful dish!

Alex & Sonja: The Culinary Team Behind A Couple Cooks

Alex and Sonja Overhiser are the energetic pair behind the beloved food blog, A Couple Cooks. As the creators of two acclaimed cookbooks, they have established a unique space in the culinary landscape by sharing their enthusiasm for uncomplicated, seasonal dishes. Their adventure began in 2010 when they introduced their website to motivate others with the pleasure of cooking.

The couple’s perspective on food is centered on simplicity and seasonal ingredients. They advocate for the use of fresh, whole components to prepare meals that are not only tasty but also easily attainable. Their recipes are crafted to be friendly for home chefs of any proficiency, allowing anyone to relish the cooking experience.

Throughout the years, Alex and Sonja have assembled an extensive assortment of thousands of original recipes. Each dish is carefully developed, tested, and photographed by the duo, guaranteeing that their audience receives only the finest. Their selections vary from quick weeknight meals to grand weekend gatherings, appealing to a broad spectrum of preferences and dietary needs.

Along with recipes, A Couple Cooks offers invaluable cooking tips and meal planning suggestions. Alex and Sonja recognize the difficulties of juggling busy schedules with nutritious eating, particularly as parents. They provide practical recommendations on everything from kitchen management to efficiency techniques, empowering their followers to cook with assurance.

Their cookbooks delve deeper into their ideology, presenting curated compilations of their most cherished recipes. Each volume stands as a testament to their dedication to making cooking fun and accessible for all.

Through A Couple Cooks, Alex and Sonja have cultivated a thriving community of food lovers. Their authentic passion for cooking and commitment to quality content have garnered them a devoted audience. As they keep delving into new culinary adventures, Alex and Sonja remain dedicated to sharing the joy of cooking with everyone.

This banana strawberry blueberry smoothie recipe is the ideal creamy fusion of fruity tastes! It serves as a nutritious snack or breakfast prepared in just minutes.

As a recipe aficionado with more than 50 smoothie recipes to my name, I’m constantly exploring enjoyable flavor alternatives. So as a twist on my most favored strawberry smoothie recipe, here is my ultimate strawberry blueberry smoothie!

Combining the berries with banana results in a purple puree with a delightfully fruity, sweet-tart taste and creamy consistency. When I first created it, my son was 3 years old and declared, “This is really good!” Now that he’s 8, I remade it with him, and he dubbed it his absolute favorite “the Berry Twist Energy Smoothie,” and he can prepare it independently. It’s a family favorite, and we hope you’ll enjoy it too!

Ingredients for this strawberry blueberry smoothie recipe

Crafting the perfect smoothie is trickier than you might expect! Often when we deviate from the recipe, we end up with a beverage that’s overly thick, too watery, or too tangy. Here’s what you need for this strawberry blueberry smoothie for just the right flavor and texture:

– Frozen strawberries and blueberries: Frozen berries are perfect for smoothies as they provide the ideal icy texture and are simple to store. Even better, they are considerably cheaper than fresh berries, resulting in a more cost-effective smoothie.

– Banana: Most of our smoothie recipes utilize room temperature banana, so there’s no need to remember to freeze them! The banana creates the right creamy consistency. You can also use frozen banana, or omit it and substitute with 2 Medjool dates instead!

– Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt contributes protein and contains live probiotics that may enhance gut health.

– Milk: Choose any dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice. Replace with water or juice if you lack any on hand.

– Maple syrup: Frozen berries can be quite tart compared to ripe fresh berries. The flavor requires a bit of sweetness, so use maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup.

– Ice: A little ice adds a fluffy, frothy texture to this smoothie recipe.

– Cinnamon: This spice provides a little extra kick that elevates this smoothie! Feel free to reduce the amount if you prefer it more as a supportive flavor.

Make it dairy free

I enjoy smoothies with Greek yogurt because it contributes a substantial amount of protein, making the smoothie more satisfying and giving it a creamy texture. (My son has lactose intolerance but can manage small amounts of yogurt, and this smoothie works for him.) However, making it plant-based is easy! Here’s how to prepare a vegan strawberry blueberry smoothie:

– Create it as a variation on our strawberry banana smoothie. Visit my Strawberry Banana Smoothie recipe and replace 1 cup of frozen blueberries for half of the frozen strawberries.

– Substitute non-dairy milk for the milk and skip the yogurt. Our preferred non-dairy milk for smoothies is oat milk, but almond milk also works effectively. Begin with the recommended quantity of milk in the recipe and omit the yogurt entirely, then add more liquid as needed to achieve the right blending consistency.

Mix-ins for this strawberry blueberry smoothie

The greatest aspect of smoothie recipes is that they serve as templates! This strawberry blueberry smoothie is delightful as is, but it’s even more exciting to include mix-ins and extras. Here are some of our favorite suggestions:

– Chia seeds. Boost the plant-based protein and fiber content with chia seeds! Adding 2 tablespoons to the recipe yields 4 grams of protein and 11 grams of fiber.

– Nut butter. Add a spoonful of nut butter for an additional protein boost! One tablespoon of peanut butter is suitable for added protein without an overpowering nutty flavor, contributing 4 grams of protein.

– More Greek yogurt: Include even more protein by blending in an additional ½ cup of yogurt, to taste.

– Coconut. Toss in a handful of coconut flakes or a splash of coconut milk for a tropical twist.

Fun fruity variations

You can also use this smoothie as a foundation for other berry smoothies! Here are some ideas for berry combinations that complement each other nicely:

– Strawberry blackberry smoothie: Replace with frozen blackberries.

– Strawberry raspberry smoothie: Use frozen or fresh raspberries in place.

– Strawberry raspberry blueberry smoothie: Substitute ½ cup of frozen raspberries for ½ cup of the strawberries.

– Blueberry banana smoothie: Check out my Blueberry Banana Smoothie.

Dietary notes

This smoothie recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free options, refer to the substitutions mentioned above.

Strawberry Blueberry Smoothie

This strawberry blueberry banana smoothie is the ideal creamy fusion of fruity tastes! It serves as a nutritious snack or breakfast prepared in just minutes.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 large or 2

A Spicy and Sweet Honey Mustard Sauce with Cajun Style Spices and Herbs

Honey mustard sauce is an adored classic, cherished for its pleasing balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. This adaptable condiment is a fundamental element in numerous kitchens, often serving as a dressing, marinade, or dip. For those aiming to infuse an additional kick into this timeless favorite, a Cajun flair can take it to greater levels.

The wonder of honey mustard resides in its straightforward yet harmonious mix of components. Sugary honey creates a smooth, sweet foundation that enhances the sharpness of spicy mustard. The inclusion of tangy vinegar balances the flavor spectrum, resulting in a sauce that is both daring and well-rounded. This iteration features a Cajun spice mix, adding a robust assortment of herbs and spices typical of Cajun cooking.

Cajun seasoning generally consists of a combination of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and black pepper. These spices introduce a richness of flavor and a touch of heat that melds perfectly with the sweetness of honey and the zest of mustard. The outcome is a sauce that is not only sweet and spicy but also full-bodied and fragrant.

This Cajun honey mustard sauce showcases remarkable versatility. As a dressing or vinaigrette, it can elevate a plain salad into a lively and thrilling dish. Its bold tastes make it an excellent option for marinating meats, especially chicken or pork, infusing them with a savory and somewhat spicy flavor. As a dipping sauce, it pairs beautifully with everything from crispy chicken tenders to fresh veggies, providing a delightful flavor contrast.

Adding a Cajun spice mix to honey mustard sauce is a straightforward yet impactful method to boost its flavor profile. Whether you enjoy traditional honey mustard or you’re eager to explore something different, this sweet and spicy Cajun variant is bound to become a favorite. Relish the rich, intricate flavors and the adaptability of this sauce in your culinary endeavors.

**Cajun Honey Mustard Grilled Chicken**

**Prep Time**: 5 minutes
**Marinate Time**: 20 minutes
**Cook Time**: 15 minutes
**Total Time**: 20 minutes
**Servings**: 4

**Description**:
An effortless grilled chicken thighs infused with a delightful Cajun-style honey mustard marinade!

**Ingredients**:
– (Ingredients not provided in the original text)

**Directions**:
1. Soak the chicken in the Cajun honey mustard marinade for 20 minutes to overnight.
2. Remove the surplus marinade and grill (or pan fry) on medium-high heat until fully cooked (165F), approximately 3-5 minutes on each side.

**Options**:
– Accompany with additional Cajun honey mustard sauce!
– Pan fry in oil on medium-high heat until fully cooked (165F), approximately 3-5 minutes per side.
– Roast the marinated chicken in the oven at 425F until fully cooked (165F), about 20-30 minutes!

**Nutrition Facts**:
– Calories: 145
– Fat: 3g (Saturated 0.5g, Trans 0)
– Cholesterol: 82mg
– Sodium: 222mg
– Carbs: 0.8g (Fiber 0.5g, Sugars 0)
– Protein: 26g

**Nutrition by**: Edamam