Suzy’s Sweet Summer Salad

Empty Nest Blessed by Suzy Mighell
berry salad - strawberry salad - blackberry salad - berries - summer salad

As the weather heats up, a great summer salad seems like the perfect dinner.  Today I’m sharing one of my favorites with you!  It is super simple, quick, and refreshing.  It’s ideal for two (if you are still empty nesting this summer) or you can load it up with some lean protein and make it work for those college kids that are home for the summer.  If you have company, it will make an excellent lunch.  I’m almost embarrassed to call this a recipe – it’s so easy!  We love it at our house.

I use Arugula lettuce as the basis of this salad.  It has a slight peppery taste, which provides a real party for your mouth when mixed with the other ingredients!  I buy the organic, pre-washed, and packaged.  For the goat cheese, I buy the pre-packaged, crumbled in the deli section of my grocery store.  I guess you could buy the log, and cut it into tiny pieces, but it might get messy – goat cheese is pretty sticky stuff!  The bite of the cheese provides an excellent contrast to the peppery lettuce and the sweetness of the fruit.

Suzy’s Sweet Summer Salad

Arugula lettuce (I use organic, pre-packaged.)
Crumbled goat cheese
Berries of your choice
Roasted Pecan halves (optional)
Cooked, cubed chicken breast (optional)

Dressing:
¼ c. Olive oil
½ c. Balsamic vinegar
1 packet Stevia

Mix dressing well.  Wash berries and let dry in a colander. Toss salad and dress to taste.  Enjoy!

If you don’t know how to roast pecans, do not be intimidated!  It is easy!  Put them in a single layer on a baking sheet in a 400-degree oven for about 10 minutes.  Shake the pan occasionally.  The pecans are done when they are fragrant and a light golden brown.  (They aren’t pictured in my salad because nuts are migraine triggers for me, so I typically leave them off.)  I also didn’t include the chicken breasts in this picture, as I was serving this one as a side salad to an entrée.

What’s your favorite go-to meal in the warmer months? Is there a summer salad that you love? Leave me a comment and inspire me!

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