Summer Vegetable Garden Salad with Creamy Italian Dressing
Growing a vegetable garden is such a rewarding part of summer. I’m not a prolific gardener; honestly I’d rather grow flowers and shrubs, but eating what I grow IS pretty cool. Early summer when temperatures are cooler, lettuces, broccoli and cauliflower create opportunity for beautiful salads like this one with a creamy Italian dressing that you’ll want to keep in your refrigerator all summer long.
I love outdoor dining this time of year. The temperatures aren’t too cold nor too hot. And who wants to heat up the kitchen anyway? Gathering (or emptying the refrigerator of) your colorful vegetables, dried blueberries and chunks of Swiss cheese is easy and nutritious.
As you prep your vegetables, be sure to make extra and store them in containers for tomorrow’s meal, because it’s perfectly fine to enjoy leftovers or reshape them into another wonderful recipe like a Spring Vegetable Frittata or a home made pizza using this Easy Whole Wheat Crust
Happy Spring! And Happy Eating Your Veggies!
- Summer Vegetable Garden Salad
- 6 cups spring mix salad greens
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, (yellow and red)
- 1 cup diced Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries
- 6 slices center-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
- 1/4 cup olive oil mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp agave nectar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp dried dill weed
- Add salad greens to a large bowl.
- Combine broccoli and cauliflower florets in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and microwave for 3 minutes on HIGH. Remove and immediately drain and rinse under cold water. Add to salad.
- Add tomatoes, Swiss cheese, red onion, blueberries and bacon to salad.
- For the Creamy Italian Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a bottle or container with lid. Cover and shake until well combined.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
You might also enjoy:
Roasted Artichoke and White Bean Salad with Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
Spring Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Lemon Basil Dressing
Summer Strawberry and Chicken Salad with Sweet Thyme Dressing
