Summer Salads for Your Patriotic Parade!
Since we're all anticipating Kimberbell's upcoming Patriotic Parade machine embroidery event, I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite salad recipes with you!
Each of these salads are perfect for 4th of July barbecues. Decorate your table with your Patriotic Parade centerpiece, then wow guests with a salad or two!
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
This tasty pasta salad is brought to many a Kimberbell potluck and I always go back for seconds. It's light and delicious and perfect for summer celebrations!
Salad Ingredients
- 1 bag bowtie pasta, cooked & drained
- 1 lb. bacon, cooked & crumbled
- 8 oz. Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 bunch green onions, diced
- Dried cranberries
Dressing Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 cup mayo
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Mix the salad ingredients together.
- Mix the dressing ingredients together.
- Mix the dressing into the salad.
- Eat and ENJOY!
Strawberry Spinach Salad
I could eat this salad all day. It's light, it's sweet, and the tang from the onion gives it just the right kick! There's nothing more refreshing on a summer day than this salad right here.
Salad Ingredients
- 6 cups spinach leaves
- 3 cups sliced strawberries
- 1/3 cup thinly-sliced red onion
- 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2/3 cup slivered almonds
Dressing Ingredients
*Note: You can also just buy your favorite poppy seed dressing from the store, if you have a brand you like!
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons poppy seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
-
Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, poppy seeds and minced garlic.
- While whisking, drizzle the olive oil and continue whisking until emulsified.
- Season the dressing with salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine spinach, strawberries, and red onion.
- Add dressing and toss to combine.
- Top salad with crumbled feta and slivered almonds.
Apple Salad
This salad is so, SO good, especially with the sweet, crunchy apples! The dressing couldn't be better with the maple syrup and dijon mustard adding sweetness and tang.
Salad Ingredients
- 10 oz. spring lettuce mix (with spinach)
- 3 medium gala apples, cored and thinly chopped
- 1 cup pecans, chopped (it's extra good if you toast them first)
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 12 oz. bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly-ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all dressing ingredients in a bowl until well blended.
- In a large salad bowl, layer the lettuce, apples, pecans, feta, cranberries, bacon, and onion.
- Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss evenly to coat.
- Serve immediately after the dressing is mixed in!
"Big Mac" Salad
This salad is served year-round at a local restaurant. With meat, cheese, pickles, and lettuce, it's a summer BBQ in one tasty dish!
Salad Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 1/2 cup finely diced onions
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
-
1/4 cup finely diced dill pickles
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons finely diced sweet onion
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together and refrigerate while you're making the rest of the salad.
- Cook the ground beef in a large, nonstick skillet until no pink remains. Drain the fat and break into tiny crumbles.
- Divide the lettuce between four salad bowls (about 1 1/2 cups each). Top with 1/3 cup beef, cheddar cheese, diced onion, and pickles.
- Drizzle 3 Tbsp. dressing over each salad.
Tip: If you'd like, you can garnish this salad with toasted sesame seeds!
Be sure to attend Kimberbell's Patriotic Parade event with your favorite quilt shop! Here's another look at the projects you'll make at this event:
Darling, huh?! Learn more about the event projects HERE!
Whether in the sewing room OR the kitchen, I hope you always Experience the Joy of Creativity® with Kimberbell.
Jenny, You are the best!!!!!
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