the lighter side

as summer fast approaches and temperatures rise, the thought of turning on the oven or stove floats right out the window. now your dilemma is, what do i serve with that beautiful chicken, steak (insert your main course of choice) that i have on the grill? here is the no sweat, literally, side that is appealing to everyone. this no fuss salad requires nothing but a knife to make. come on admit it, anyone can slice a few strawberries right? just so you know i employ my 6 yr old daughter to do this with a serrated butter knife, so if she can do it so can you. if your really crafty, like i am, i have both my kids put the whole salad together, while i sit and do nothing. talk about no sweat!

Summer Fruit Spring Salad



1 bag of washed spring salad mix,
1 cup blueberries,
1//2 cup slice strawberries,
1/4 cup of crumbled feta (more if you like),
salt & pepper,
olive oil**,
balsamic vinegar**,
1/4 -1/2 cup of candied walnuts,

ready, here's the hard part... ;-)

place spring mix in a bowl and season with salt and pepper, do this before adding the other ingredients. sprinkle salad with blueberries and strawberries. drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. sprinkle feta and walnuts over the whole thing and serve. really, how easy is that? light, healthy and the perfect compliment for any main course. you can really go wild and top with some grilled chicken, before adding the oil and vinegar, and you've turned an easy side into a quick, beautiful summer meal.

so turn off the heat and enjoy dinner alfresco. for those of you not watching your calories or carbing up for a big run or swim the next day, serve the same oil and vinegar, sprinkled with salt and pepper to dip fabulous crusty bread!



** use an olive oil that you like the taste of all by itself, the better the quality, the better the taste.

** when it comes to balsamic vinegar, the longer the aging process the better the taste. this also makes the vinegar thicker often giving it a more syrupy consistency. sometimes spending a few extra dollars on staples like these add a lot to your cooking in the long run. they also last quite a while so it's worth it.