I’m a big fan of salads that…aren’t salads. Case in point, summer veggie salad. You basically chop up every summer-fresh vegetable growing in your garden (or that you find at the farmer’s market) and toss it together with a deliciously herby dressing! It’s foolproof and the perfect side dish for bringing along to summer dinners and BBQs (and with dozens of 5-star reviews, it’s a community favorite)!
For the salad, you’ll need:
Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes will serve as part of the base, adding consistency and flavor! While Roma tomatoes are great here (more meaty, less juicy), you can use whatever tomatoes you have on hand, like diced heirlooms or halved cherry tomatoes. Cucumber: I love English cucumber here for the lack of seeds, but again, use what you have on hand! Red Bell Pepper: When it comes to the pepper, I like to use red for the flavor, though any color pepper will do the job. Red Onion: Finally, add about ½ cup of chopped red onion. You can use more or less depending on your love (or lack thereof) for raw onions! Feta Cheese: For a much-needed creamy component, we’ll be using ½ cup of diced feta.
For the Dressing, grab:
Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil will serve as the base of the dressing. Parsley: Fresh parsley adds flavor and texture. Italian and flat parsley both work well here. Lemon Juice: Tangy lemon juice brightens up the salad more than you’d think. Fresh juice is best! White vinegar could be used as a lemon juice substitute here. Garlic: Garlic? Please and thanks. 1 clove minced will be perfect for this dressing. Salt, Pepper, Oregano: We’re keeping the seasonings simple here!
Ready in 10!
Nothing’s better than a quick-to-make summer dish. Come inside to escape from the hot sun and whip this together in less than 10 minutes!
Incredibly customizable
As to be proven by your first bite, this salad is nothing short of delicious. But that doesn’t mean that it can’t be further customized to fit your palate! Here are some ways that you can switch up this salad depending on your mood. Add crunchWhy not add some crunch and healthy fat with a handful of almonds or pistachios?! Crush ‘em up and toss them in for an easy and filling add-on. You can also take it up a notch by using glazed nuts. Too delicious! Switch up the veggiesYou can switch up the ingredients however you like. An easy way is by using a white or sweet onion, or green or orange bell peppers. Really any summer vegetables work well, like grilled or roasted zucchini, or corn (either grilled or kernels straight from the cob) is also delicious here. Take your favorites and run with them! Substitute feta for your favoriteNot a big fan of feta? Use a cheese you do like! Bleu cheese would be downright delicious in this salad.
