Texan Magazine
By The Texan Magazine Culinary Team
and Bill Dante
Take the edge off the summertime heat, at least in the kitchen.
This summer, just like last year, we’ve been experiencing record breaking, unprecedented high temps. Summer in Texas has always been associated with high heat and humidity. That’s a given and certainly nothing new. But many consecutive days, actually months well over 100 degrees, with heat indexes high enough to issue serious health warnings, mean serious business for everyone. Nobody wants anyone to stand over a hot stove or grill preparing a meal, well, not unless it’s your birthday. Ha! But seriously…..eating light salads during the hotter summer months is not exactly groundbreaking news.
Of course, eating out can be fun, but sometimes you just want to prepare something delicious and nutritious with little effort at home.
The goal here is to present some great salad ideas as complete MEALS that don’t make you feel like you’re a rabbit eating a head of lettuce, or leave you hungry, thirty minutes after eating.
I know a lot of folks are not necessarily salad fans. I always pass on salads in restaurants, because I would rather fill up on my main meal, which is normally a nice serving of protein with sides. Yet my wife enjoys eating salad WITH protein at every opportunity. What a concept!
If I’m at an Italian restaurant and the salad is included with the meal and it comes with a generous portion of Italian dressing, then I’m all in.
But, try to imagine some refreshing, unique salads and ones that are creative and actually look and taste good. The trick is to use ingredients that you actually like.
Now, if you are already a salad lover, then we have some salad combinations and ideas that you might not have thought of before. In addition it’s fun to try different food.
Creating different salad combinations depends on what you like. The choices are endless. Obviously, there are many lettuce varieties to choose from, just as there are many different types of proteins, cheeses, vegetables, pastas, nuts and fruits… etc. Get creative and choose your favorites. Use your imagination. There really are no rules. It’s whatever you like!
Sometimes we all get stuck in a rut, or are used to a certain routines regarding our eating habits. Yet our favorites never get old. But it’s always fun to branch out and try new flavors and combinations. Good old taco salad is a great family favorite of ours.
When it comes to salads in general, it’s the dressing you choose that makes all the difference. Sweet, savory, spicy or tangy, the choice is up to you.
Add a glass of champagne or Prosecco for you and that special person in your life. That would be a pleasant surprise. Then again, some of these salads would be just fine with your favorite ice cold beer. Have you tried the Yuengling Black and Tan? It’s exceptional!
Stay cool, eat, enjoy and salude!!!
