A salad of fresh vegetables lightly doused with a zetsy mix of lemon juice, garlic and olive oil offers excellent antioxidant protection — not to mention a punch of flavor. These summer salad ideas below are just a sample of the tasty and healthy meals you can create using raw produce and a simple lemon-garlic-olive oil dressing.Â
Mediterranean Tomato Salad:Â
A vegan twist on the classic tomato and mozzarella summer salad, this recipe has all of the bright flavor of the traditional version, but without the skin-sabotaging cheese. The key is to let the salad marinate for an hour before serving to help the tomatoes soak up the dressing.Â
Ingredients:Â
- 2 large tomatoes, thinly slicedÂ
- 1 tablespoon fresh, chopped basilÂ
- 1 small red onion, thinly slicedÂ
- 1 clove garlic, finely choppedÂ
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oilÂ
- Juice of a large lemonÂ
- Freshly ground black pepperÂ
Preparation:Â
- Place tomato slices on a serving plate.Â
- Arrange basil and onion atop tomato slices.Â
- In a bowl, mix garlic, olive oil and lemon juice and pour over vegetables.Â
- Sprinkle with ground pepper to taste. Â
Yield: 4 servings. Â
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Italian Summer Salad:Â
This Italian summer salad gets an antioxidant boost from fennel, radish and olives — and adding oregano to the lemon-garlic-olive oil dressing gives the salad its distinctive Italian flavor. The result: an easy Italian salad recipe so delicious you won’t miss the cheese and croutons.Â
Ingredients:Â
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoesÂ
- 1 green bell pepper, slicedÂ
- 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized piecesÂ
- 1/2 cup finely chopped fennelÂ
- 1/4 cup red onion, sliced into ringsÂ
- 6 black olives, pitted and slicedÂ
- 4 radishes, thinly slicedÂ
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oilÂ
- Juice of one lemonÂ
- 1 clove garlic, crushedÂ
- 1 pinch dried oreganoÂ
- Freshly ground black pepperÂ
Preparation:Â
- Mix together the first seven ingredients.Â
- Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and oregano.Â
- Pour dressing over salad, toss lightly and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.Â
Yield: 4 servings.Â
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Cuban Black Bean Salad Recipe:Â
Colorful bell peppers contain antioxidants, as well as vitamins A and C, which can help fend off the signs of aging. Celery’s high water content keeps skin hydrated. Black beans, which are packed with protein and fiber, turn this healthy salad into a satisfying main course.Â
Ingredients:Â
- 15-ounce can black beansÂ
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, choppedÂ
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, choppedÂ
- 1/2 cup chopped celeryÂ
- 2 tablespoons red onion, choppedÂ
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsleyÂ
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juiceÂ
- 1 clove garlic, crushedÂ
- 1/4 teaspoon cuminÂ
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oilÂ
Preparation:Â
- Toss together beans, yellow and red bell peppers, celery, onion and parsley. Â
- Whisk together lemon juice, garlic and cumin.Â
- Lightly toss salad with dressing and serve.Â
Yield:Â 4 servings.Â