By Chef Stacy Maple
For many of us, May marked the beginning of another hectic summer season with Mother’s Day get togethers, high school proms, graduation parties and end-of-school celebrations. Now, there are hedges to clip, lawns to mow, and flowers to prune. With all the planning and schedule juggling that the summer demands,” quick” and “easy” are two words that connect with anyone trying to plan fresh, delicious dinners this month .
On the bright side, our local farm markets and road-side stands are open again and stocked with lovely late spring and early summer vegetables, like Georgia grown cantaloupe, heirloom tomatoes and early sweet corn varieties. These vegetables are especially easy to find right now and make delightfully simple, fresh side salads.
These Quick & Easy Summer Salad recipes have 9 or less ingredients, require minimal skill and can be prepared in 15 minutes or less. Not only are they quick and easy, but these recipes are clean, simple, fun and fresh. Bring it on, summer!
Summer Sweet Corn & Heirloom Tomato Salad
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| My family's sweet corn farm in Fredericktown, Ohio Farming varieties of early & summer sweet corn since 1977 |
3 large Heirloom Tomatoes, cut in wedges
2 TB Red Onion, slivers
1 Jalapeno, minced (ribs and seeds removed)
2 TB Fresh Basil, chopped
3 TB Fig Infused Vinegar (or White Balsamic Vinegar)
2 TB Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 TB Local Honey
Sea Salt & Fresh Cracked Pepper, to taste
Directions:
Cook Corn in large pot of boiling, salted water until corn is tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and Cool to room temperature. Cut corn kernels from cob. Transfer corn kernels to large bowl and add Tomatoes, Onion, Jalapeno and Basil.In small mixing bowl, whisk together Vinegar, Honey and Oil. Pour vinaigrette over Salad and gently toss together. Add Salt and Pepper to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Georgia Cantaloupe Salad
1 Cantaloupe (GA grown, if possible)
2 TB Pine Nuts, toasted
¼ cup Goat Cheese Crumbles
2 TB Fresh Basil, chopped
Directions
Clean and cut cantaloupe into 1” pieces. Transfer cantaloupe to mixing bowl. Add Goat Cheese crumbles Pine Nuts and Basil. Lightly toss together. Chill and Serve. (This recipe is also great with other melons like watermelon and honey dew. Give it a try!)
