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Quick & Easy Summer Salads to Beat the Heat

By,
Gourmandize

For light and healthy side dishes or meals, turn to these delicious salads that use just five main ingredients, plus easy-to-make dressings and sauces. They're also great options for potlucks, BBQ's and picnics!

Rainbow heirloom caprese salad 1/16

© iStock / Getty Images Plus / barol16

Rainbow heirloom caprese salad

Nothing is more easy or perfect for summer meals than a delicious Italian caprese (aka tomato mozzarella) salad. Using a combination of seasonal heirloom and cherry tomatoes, this recipe ups the aesthetic results by using a mix of colors and sizes.

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 8 oz. (250 g) cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 lb (450 g) medium to large red heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced 
  • 1/2 lb (225 g) medium to large yellow heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 lb (225 g) medium to large green heirloom tomatoes, thinly sliced
  • 8 oz. (225 g) fresh mozzarella, torn into pieces

Seasoning

  • 6 tablespoons (or more) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • Coarse sea salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper
  • Small fresh basil leaves to garnish
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, toss the cherry tomatoes with 1/2 tbsp olive oil and season with salt.
  2. Divide the heirloom tomato slices among 4 plates, alternating the colors in an overlapping pattern. Season generously with salt.
  3. Divide the torn mozzarella among the 4 salads and season with salt.
  4. Top each salad with the cherry tomatoes and drizzle with the remaining 5 1/2 tbsp olive oil. Season with freshly cracked black pepper. 
  5. Let sit for 30 min. to allow the liquid to be released from the tomatoes and mozzarella.
  6. Garnish the salads with fresh basil leaves. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or olive oil as needed. Serve.

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Chef Tips and Tricks

VIDEO: Chicken Quesadillas

These quick and easy chicken quesadillas are the perfect, last-minute family dinner!

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup of tomato sauce
  • 1/2 cup of chives, chopped
  • 1 tsp. of Mexican spice mix
  • 4 Tortillas
  • Cheddar
  • Salt, to taste

METHOD:

  1. Put shredded chicken breast, tomato sauce, chives, and mexican spice mix in a bowl and mix together.
  2. Lay out the tortillas. Place a slice of cheddar in the center, and cover with the chicken mix.
  3. Fold up tortillas, and heat in a frying pan until golden.
  4. Enjoy!

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