Summer is when everyone talks about leafy green salads and luscious green goddess bowls. However, it might be time to rethink the definition of a salad. Gone are the bowls of endless leaves, salads are not just dull bowls of leaves with a few cut-up tomatoes and greens. Here to stay are slivers of succulent marinated ingredients, the finest drizzles of Texas olive oil, and herbaceous dressings.
When it comes to enjoying the freshest offerings available in summer, it is vital to ensure you are using local produce, right down to the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). We recommend the products from Texas Hill Olive Oil Company based in Dripping Springs.
Here are some exciting ways to spruce up your salad game this summer!
Fresh Seasonal Ingredients
The true secret to delicious summer salads lies in the ingredients themselves. Using the freshest and most impressive ingredients can uplift any dish, whether your salad is supposed to be the star of the show or an accompaniment to your evening repast.
Selecting in-season produce is easy when you know what to look for. Berries, apples, peaches, figs, corn, and other delicious crops are summer favorites for a reason! They are all in season during the warmer months; here’s how you can add them to your fixings:
- Melons – These sweet summery additions to your kitchen make the ideal marriage between sweet and savory. Serve cubes of honeydew and cantaloupe melons with slivers of salty prosciutto, mint, fresh mozzarella, and a hearty drizzle of a delicate Texas olive oil.
- Grilled peaches or pineapples – Summer months are often spent outback with the grill going; before grilling your veggies and meats, grill a few peaches or pineapple slices with a robust and peppery EVOO such as a Hoijiblanca. Allow them to rest before dicing them up and adding them to any bowl of greens for an excellent summer side.
- Macerated strawberries – Berry season falls in the height of summer – spruce them up by macerating them in a glug of balsamic vinegar and a sprinkling of sugar before adding them to a roasted veg salad for a little extra flavor and a hit of freshness.
Whichever local picking you choose to elevate your summer bowls, the freshness your dinner guests will experience is out of this world. Pairing the subtle sweetness of seasonal fruit with succulent savory and salty ingredients creates a moreish mouthfeel and a flavor that is unlike any other you have experienced.
A Trip Around The World With Texas Olive Oil
Summer is a time to hit the runways and smell the sweet scent of jet fuel. For those that cannot physically travel to the far corners of the world, taking that trip in your kitchen just got easier. Salads are the perfect opportunity to showcase some of the most amazing international flavors.
- Mediterranean vegetables – Sweet peppers, aubergine, chickpeas, and zucchini are staples in kitchens across the Mediterranean belt. Add roasted veg to a bowl of quinoa and greens with luscious drizzles of a medium Texas olive oil that features grassy and herbaceous notes.
- Head for Denmark instead of Greece – We all know of the crumbly Greek feta that is perfectly salty and hard – its lesser-known Danish counterpart is softer, creamier, and has a decadence like no other. Try adding a few blocks marinaded in a peppery EVOO and a little lemon juice to any salad with slices of fresh grapefruit.
- Thai crunch – A taste of Thailand is easily recreated with a delicious and fresh mint and peanut dressing made with a delicate Texas olive oil such as Arbequina. This savory yet sweet sauce is perfect over blanched crunchy broccoli, sesame seeds, pickled ginger, and other fresh raw vegetables served over a bed of greens. Add grilled soy tofu steaks for a protein kick!
- Lebanese drizzle – The Middle East boasts cuisine packed full of flavor – recreate its subtly nutty and savory gastronomical hommage by skipping out on the mayonnaise-based dressings and opting for tahini paired with delicious harissa-infused EVOO. This dressing is paired perfectly with any citrusy salad!
Cold, Crisp Summer Salads
The sweltering heat of the summer months means cold, crisp, and fresh are all descriptors that fit any summer salad. Staying out of a hot kitchen in the heat of summer is always advised – which is why these cold and minimalist yet filling salads are the perfect addition to a lunch or dinner and are excellent leftovers for brunch!
- Herbaceous pesto and new potato salad – Skip the traditional creamy potato salad this year and go for a light and crunchy fresh potato salad. Soft yet crunchy boiled new potatoes tossed in a homemade basil and mint pesto made with a robust and peppery Texas olive oil. This salad can stand the test of time and begs to be enjoyed time and again with minimal effort and cooking.
- Pasta salads – If you’ve ever struggled with portion control when cooking pasta, fret not. Keep the leftover cooked pasta for a delicious salad made with marinaded sundried tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and sweet bell peppers. Pair with an olio neuvo style EVOO.
There are several ways you can repurpose extra leftover starches such as rice, quinoa, and pasta for cold grill-side salad bowls. Just grab a jar and shake up your favorite Texas olive oil with a bit of dijon mustard, some herbs, and your go-to balsamic and toss into a bowl with your leftover starch and a few diced veggies for a quick, cooling, zero-waste summer salad.
Marvelous Marinades With Texas Olive Oil
Another way to make the most of your meals this summer is by making your salads the main meal of the day, adding protein to your bowl, from roasted chickpeas to marvelously marinaded mushroom or grilled tuna steaks. Other notable marinaded additions to any salad include:
- Corn riblets – Try marinading corn riblets in a jalapeno-infused EVOO that goes perfectly with any pineapple salad for the perfect mixture of umami and sweet. Use this combination in your cowboy caviar for an elevated dish!
- Marinaded olives stuffed with greek feta or confit garlic – homemade garlic confit using a robust Spanish style EVOO is the perfect addition to any olive marinade you can drizzle into salads.
No matter what flavor profile you are craving, there is a salad to match that craving! According to local olive oil producers, The Texas Hill County Olive Co., the only thing you need this summer is a little imagination paired with fresh Texas olive oil and seasonal produce!
