Just in time for the 4th of July! A list of my very best salad recipes

Just in time for the 4th of July!  A list of my very best salad recipes...

The wonderful thing about salads... they go with just about everything and they're well loved by all. From the classic potato and macaroni salads to the healthy fruit salads... and everything in between.. there is a salad for everyone for sure..

Try one... try them all... all season long...









Fruit Salad - Sweet

Italian Seasoned Summer Squash and Tomatoes

 

A wonderful side dish to grilled meat.. this low carb side
dish is one sure to please... tossed with a little olive oil and butter and seasoned
with Italian herbs and garlic... makes for a delicious blend of flavors...

Best of all... minutes to prepare.... and just pop into the oven!

TIPS

Wash the summer squash .. leave the skin on and slice it
thickly... cut the bigger slices in

Italian Chicken Portobello and Mac Skillet

I love skillet meals.. they're easy and delicious... and
this recipe for Italian Chicken Portobello and Mac Skillet is no exception.  I love to experiment and this one is one I
made recently when I defrosted chicken tenders thinking they were cutlets...
yes... I know I should mark the freezer bag... but then I wouldn't be forced to
get inventive!

As always there is room to adjust the recipe

Three Great Beverages for that Backyard BBQ

Great food and beverages just go together with great friends and a good time... so here are three great beverage recipes for you to make...






Sweet Tea - once upon a time you only found Sweet Tea in the South.. not so anymore... seems everyone is drinking Sweet Tea these days.. and with good reason... it's delicious!



Lemonade - I grew up drinking lemonade on hot summer days.. for me.. just

Breakfast Ideas for Father's Day

Make a special breakfast for Father's Day... start the day right.... and leave the BBQ for him later...   What better way to say I Love Dad than with a hearty manly man breakfast.

Have special plans for Father's Day?  No need to skip breakfast...  Here are some terrific ideas for a great breakfast on-the-go..




Breakfast Burrito Prepare the filling ahead and just reheat it in the microwave in

9 Terrific Salad Dressings for Green Salad

Big bowls of green salad just seem to go with grilled meats... a perfect side dish for suppers and Backyard BBQs... easy to prepare ... they can be made in advance... so there's no need to be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is enjoying the glorious summer weather.

While we like some bottled dressing.. nothing compares to homemade dressings... they too, can be prepared in advance and

19 Easy Desserts for that Backyard Get-Together

Slaving in the kitchen in the hot days of summer is something no one likes to do.. but as parties a place to showcase great foods and beverages... slave most of us will... well I'm here to give you some ideas for desserts from the simply to the not so simple.. these will not only please but some will even look like you spent hours in the kitchen...






Let's start with the simple...


Fruit

Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Ring

This quick and easy breakfast recipe is made with
Pillsbury's Crescent dough.... and can be made even quicker by cooking the
sausage ... and even the scrambled eggs ahead of time... perfect for a weekday breakfast
on the go...  

This is a slightly adapted Pillsbury recipe.... the original
was made into a ring... which was nice but kind of skimpy on the filling... and
when you add more

Fabulous Sides for that Backyard BBQ

Grilling season is in full swing.. hot weather.. cold drinks... and BBQ... summer is the time for lots of fun and great food...

So what better time to post recipes for terrific sides to go with that BBQ... easy to make... and a perfect accompaniment for whatever you're grilling.






Here are some suggestions....


Salad - Make it a green salad...Lettuce is in season.. all kinds... so mix it

Shrimp Etouffee

Shrimp Etouffee.... pronounced ay-2-fay... is a Cajun dish
of shellfish served over rice (sometimes grits)... usually made of shrimp...
and sometimes crawfish... it's easy to make... and delicious with its bit of
zip. 


This recipe is slightly adapted from an Emeril recipe.

TIPS

The recipe calls for shrimp stock... which is easy to make..
but will add considerably to the time it takes to

Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette

This recipe for Cucumber Salad with Champagne Vinaigrette comes
from my son, Erik.  He served it with a
meal he prepared for friends and it was such a hit, he informed me it was
"blog worthy"... and so it was!


TIPS




He
places cucumbers in bowl lightly salt to pull some of the moisture out of the
cucumbers so they absorb the dressing more also they tend to have a less blank
flavor.

Slice