Refreshing Summer Salads

Looking to beat the heat? Salads are a refreshing way to cool down and avoid cooking over a hot stove while adding a great source of nutrition to your meals. Plus, summer is the perfect time to enjoy salads due to an abundance of fresh produce. We’ve featured a few of our favorite recipes for your enjoyment. Bon appétit!

Hawaiian Anuenue Salad

Serves 4

Anuenue means “rainbow” in Hawaiian. The name of this salad is appropriate for this recipe because the ingredients make up all of the colors of the rainbow. Making sure you eat a variety of colors of fruits and vegetables is important because they contain different nutrients. Additionally, the salad has the spirit of aloha with the inclusion of a few of Hawaii’s native foods like papaya, pineapple and macadamia nuts.

You’ll need this recipe for Fresh Papaya Seed Dressing for a true taste of the Hawaiian Islands.

Ingredients:

½ cup pineapple, chopped

½ cup blueberries

½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

⅓ cup macadamia nuts, chopped

⅓ cup carrots, shredded

¼ cup red cabbage, finely chopped

¼ cup white onion, chopped

¼ cup yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 cucumber, sliced

4 cups fresh spinach

Directions:

1. Wash and prepare the fruits, vegetables and nuts.
2. Toss in large bowl.
3. Make the salad dressing.
4. Pour over salad and toss. You may need to double the salad dressing for even coverage.

Caprese Pasta Salad

Serves 4

A more filling version of a classic Italian dish, this salad goes great with your favorite balsamic vinaigrette or Italian dressing.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole grain farfalle (bow tie) pasta, cooked and chilled

4 Roma tomatoes, cut into 8 wedges each

½ cup mozzarella cheese, cubed

¼ cup fresh basil, chopped

Directions:

1. Cook and chill pasta.
2. Wash and prepare tomatoes and basil.
3. Toss in large bowl and top with mozzarella cheese.
4. Add your favorite dressing of choice and toss again.

Melon-and-Mozzarella Salad – This sweet and savory salad is a great addition to your summer BBQ menu. It features summer fruit favorites such as peach, watermelon, honeydew and strawberries.

Vegetarian Taco Salad – A new, healthier twist on an old favorite, this meatless taco salad tastes exactly as summer should—fresh and fun!

Cranberry-Nectarine Salad – If you like a nice crunch to your salad, you’ll enjoy this recipe. It is also inexpensive to make and includes the popular convenience item of ramen noodle soup mix. (Can you believe there are so many ways to repurpose ramen soup mix?)

Chicken Waldorf Salad – Quick, easy and inexpensive to prepare, this recipe can put your leftover chicken to good use.

Summer Rice Salad – A hint of mint and lime makes this salad a refreshing treat. The fresh herbs such as chives and parsley combined with cabbage and cucumbers provide a nice earthy flavor.

Hungry for more?

For additional healthy salad ideas, check out this cool infographic: How to Make a Healthier Salad.

For Health Advocate Members

If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to our Wellness Coaching program, call your coach for more healthy recipes!