13 chilled summer salad Recipes

olive oil, fresh mint leaves , julienned (finely sliced), champagne vinegar, chilled watermelon, preferably seedless (about 6 lbs), red seedless grapes, halved, green seedless grape, halved, crumbled feta cheese (about 5 oz), pine nuts, toasted, mint sprig, for garnish

boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked, cubed and chilled, fresh pineapple, cut into chunks, chilled and drained (or 1 large can of chilled pineapple chunks-well drained), ripe peaches, chopped into chunks and chilled, seedless grapes, cut into halves, flaked or shredded unsweetened coconut (optional), chopped walnuts or 1 cup almonds or 1 cup pecans, chilled cranberry-orange relish (or sauce, to taste), cold vanilla yogurt, crisp chilled lettuce leaves, washed and dried

albacore tuna in water, miracle whip (mayo not recommended), celery ribs, finely diced, green olives, sliced (with pimentos ), elbow macaroni (cooked slightly al dente, then chilled rinsed to cool), onion powder , to taste, celery salt , to taste, garlic salt , to taste, black pepper, to taste (i like mortons nature seasoning )

boneless skinless chicken breasts, poached and cooled, pineapple tidbits (reserve juice), stalks celery, sliced, grapes, halved, baby peas, thawed, green onion, sliced, cashews, mayonnaise, chopped fresh chives, salt, pepper, romaine leaves, chilled, for garnish, chow mein noodles

peeled and diced fresh peaches, diced fresh strawberries, sugar, lime zest, fresh lime juice, dry white wine, strawberry-flavored gelatin, lemon-flavored gelatin, chilled lemon-lime soft drink, fresh raspberries

black beans, drained and rinsed, sweet corn, drained and rinsed, fat cloves of garlic, chopped fine, diced celery, tomatoes, diced, big bunch of scallions, diced, vidalia onion, diced fine, cooked brown rice, chilled and tossed in olive oil, sweet peppers -- 1 each yellow , orange, red and green, diced, young, small carrots, slivered very finely with a peeler, fresh cilantro, chopped fine, couple tablespoonfuls of extra-virgin olive oil, couple teaspoonfuls of vinegar (i like white wine/tarragon, but balsamic is nice too), salt & coarse-ground or cracked black pepper to taste

white wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, water, parmesan cheese, grated, fresh thyme, snipped, garlic cloves, minced, salt, black pepper, boneless skinless chicken breasts (free-range, organic chicken is best), green beans , cut into bite-sized pieces, brown rice and wild rice (cooked according to package directions and chilled), artichoke hearts, drained and quartered, red cabbage, shredded, carrot, shredded, celery, diced, scallions, sliced

pasta shells or 8 oz colored spiral shaped pasta, olives, sliced, frozen peas, cooked and chilled, parmesan cheese, grated, green pepper, diced, cucumber, peeled and diced, roma tomatoes, chopped, green onions, sliced, summer sausage, cut into chunks, italian salad dressing mix, mixed with, oil , and, lemon juice, per package. directions

organic carrots, unpeeled and sliced lengthwise in half and then crosswise in half (orange, white, rainbow, indigo, etc.), sliced shallots (for a less pronounced onion taste use shallots) or 1/2 cup red onion, diced small (for a less pronounced onion taste use shallots), extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar (experiment with another flavored vinegar), fresh dill, chopped (fresh !), salt and black pepper, to taste

white beans, cooked and drained, corn, cooked, diced red onion, chopped red pepper, extra virgin olive oil, pitted kalamata olive, chopped, minced fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic

brown rice, cooked, red seedless grapes, cut in half, green seedless grape, cut in half, celery ribs, fine diced (save the leaves and chop those too), scallions, fine diced (white and green parts ), walnuts, toasted and chopped, fresh mint, fine chopped, vinaigrette (see recipe below ), orange marmalade, salt, pepper, olive oil, red wine vinegar, red wine (cabernet, merlot or chianti all will work fine), shallot, minced, orange juice, honey, salt, pepper