Well the zoo was amazing and the vacation has been a ton of fun so far. It feels like we have been going non stop day and night and by the time I get to bed I am exhausted. I am not complaining as the kids are having a ball!

We are slated to head over to Halifax, NS today and tonight and stay in a Jungle Theme Room that I booked last night ( the kids don’t know yet).  I think they will be super excited as it is a SUITE with bunk beds.  Before we get moving along, I wanted to share a fun summer salad with you.

Do you like watermelon? How about fresh basil and mint?  The colors and fresh flavor really make people happy.  This salad is really fresh and will definitely make you and your guests happy.  The combination of juicy watermelon and crisp cucumbers along with the nice sharp flavor of feta – this is a HIT.  The citrus dressing just screams summer so eat up and enjoy!

Super Summer Watermelon Salad

Ingredients

• 2 Cups seeded and diced ripe watermelon
• 2 Cups seeded and diced cucumber
• Quartered green and red tomatoes
• Fresh Basil and mint
• Citrus dressing (see below)
• 1/4 Cup crumbled feta cheese

Citrus Dressing

• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 2 Tbsp.fresh lime juice
• 2 Tsp honey
• 1/3 Cup olive oil
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• Pinch of cayenne
• Salt (to taste)

Method

1. It couldn’t be easier. Toss all the ingredients in a big bowl.
2. For the dressing, place all the ingredients in a jar with a lid.
3. Screw on the lid, and shake until well-blended.
4. Divide among four plates
5. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: For this one, I wait until just before serving before dressing it.  You do not want the fresh basil and mint to become limp and wilted.  You can make the dressing up ahead of time in the jar just be sure to give it a good shake before pouring over the salad.

OK, so we got home around 8:30 last night and I looked out onto the deck and saw some of this action…. isn’t this gorgeous?

Around 8:25pm

Around 8:35pm

Around 8:45pm

Have a super Wednesday – we are off in the car for a fun filled couple of days yet again.  Talk to you Friday morning before we hit the Gold Cup and Saucer Parade.

Take care

zesty

I am a big fan of salads but I tend not to eat them enough!  With that being said, I am here enlisting some of my favorite tips for making a great salad.  Some people say that a great salad is all in the dressing – well I am not sure I buy that statement.

I am a big advocate that fresh ingredients will deliver top notch results.  Salads are meant to be simple, yet flavorful and can be created without any stress or time constraints.

Salad Tips

1.  Add Dark Greens to the Mix.

Romaine, arugula or spinach will add a whole host of vitamins and nutrients to your salad, including vitamin A, vitamin C and folate.

2.  Watch the Dressing.

Control exactly how much dressing goes into your salad by referring to the serving suggestion on the label. It’s also a good idea to keep the dressing on the side so you can add a little at a time without overdoing it.

3.  Include Fruit in Green Salads.

Fruit like orange sections, cubed mango or dried, unsweetened cranberries will add not only more flavor and color but also vitamins and antioxidants.

4.  Pack in the Protein.

When eating a salad as your main meal, make sure it provides at least 10 to 15 grams of protein per serving. To meet this requirement, add 3/4 cup of chickpeas or
lentils, two hard boiled eggs or 1/4 cup of nuts.

5.  Dress Simple and Late.

Salad dressings do not have to be anything complex.  A simple dash of olive oil, vinegar and some grainy mustard makes for a great dressing.  Another tip I noted from Michael Smith is to dress the salad just before serving.  He often puts the dressing in the bottom of the bowl and tosses once you are ready to eat.

So next time you make a salad let me know what you think of the salad tips.  I listed a few salads I made in the past so be sure to check them out.  I like to keep it simple so you will not see anything extravagant.

Other Zesty Salads

Fresh Crisp Salad with Feta

Pesto Salad

Asparagus Bacon Salad

Summer Chicken Salad in the Winter

I hope you have a great Thursday.  House plans are moving along quite well and we should have the new plans finalized soon.  We are moving forward with lot preparation and than the breaking of the ground.  I will keep you posted.

I am heading on the road for a week in the first week in June.  With that said – I am making a call out for guest posts!  Let me know if you are interested by contacting me.

Take care

zesty