Hearty, Healthy Summer Salads

Today I’d like to discuss a sticky situation.  You know how sometimes you go to parties or potlucks and just know that for one reason or another there’s really nothing you’ll be able to eat?   The easiest thing to do is offer bring something:  “I’ve got a new recipe that’d I’d love to bring because it makes more than I can eat myself.”   White lies are totally permissible. 

Last weekend I tested 3 salad recipes on my extended family, here they are in all their glory:

The first recipe was  Corn, Black Bean and Red Pepper Salad, this is a really flavorful recipe that is great on day one and excellent on day 2.  I wanted to make it heartier, so I added 1 cup of cooked quinoa (I made 3 cups, but that’s another post), and just increased the vinegar and oil slightly.   I usually add more cumin, because we like the taste.

The next salad was Mediterranean Orzo Asparagus Salad.  This one didn’t get too changed except for instead of orzo I skipped the cucumber, used Barilla Plus Penne, and, I’m not ashamed to admit it, a package of Trader Joe frozen asparagus; the whole package, because I like asparagus.   Also switched the mint for tarragon, because it was giving me a strong French vibe.

Totally new to me was Brown Rice Edamame Salad.  I used 2 packages of Trader Joe’s frozen brown rice.   I have to tell you – if you only eat brown rice once in a while this is the way to go -  I plan on keeping a box in the freezer.  The corn and edamame also came from TJ’s.  I did not put in the walnuts and celery, because in my head it just didn't work.  This salad is best at or slightly below room temperature (but I bet it would be good hot as a side dish with butter instead of the dressing), so that the dressing has a chance to really get everywhere.  Also, it needed salt; I’m stingy with the salt.

All of these salads are dressed with oil and vinegar (I ran out of red wine vinegar and used apple cider and it did not make a difference).  But there really was not a strong vinegar flavor to them.  We ate them over the course of a long weekend and they did not lose their freshness.

If you need to bring a dish to pass, one of these is sure to please, add them to your meal plan!