The Quintessential Summer Salad

I made this salad for a beach BBQ (thank you Swansons!) this past weekend and the entire party gave me two thumbs up to blog about it. Like I've said in the past, I'm more of a cheeseburger gal than a salad girl but I will say that there is something about salads that have a lot going on that really does make me happy. This salad is super healthy and really does hit the spot. This was only a side at the party but it is definitely a meal all on it's own. I think if I make it again- I'll eat it with some simply grilled shrimp and I'll be beyond content. Move over cheeseburgers...salads are taking over. 

The Quintessential Summer Salad 

Fridge:

1 bag of arugula 

1 medium red pepper, diced small

1 medium zucchini, julienned 

2 medium carrots, julienned

2 corn on the cobs, corn cooked and kernels cut off and cooled 

Four stalks of celery, cleaned and sliced thin 

*I used about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of each vegetable above 

Freezer:

2 cups of edamame, boiled for 5 mins and cooled 

Counter:

2 lemons 

1/2 medium red onion, sliced very thin 

2 cups water 

Pantry:

1 cup quinoa (I used tricolor) 

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper 

6 tablespoons olive oil 

Tools:

Large salad bowl 

Medium pot with lid

Small mixing bowl

Whisk or fork 

Add two cups of water and a pinch of salt to the pot. Bring to a boil and add the quinoa. Turn the stove down to low and put the lid on. Cook for 10-15 mins until all the water is absorbed. Remove lid and allow to cool. I placed mine in the freezer to speed up the process- and just stirred it every 5 mins for about 25 minutes. Or you can just use 2 cups of leftover quinoa for the salad. 

Add the arugula to the large salad bowl. Then I added the quinoa, red peppers, carrots, celery, red onions, zucchini and corn and edamame. 

In the small mixing bowl add the juice of 2 lemons, salt, pepper and whisk in the olive oil. Mix well and drizzle this over the salad just before serving. 

This salad feeds a crowd or you can use the dressing on the side and keep it in the fridge in Tupperware undressed for a few days. It's really a delicious salad and really healthy! This fed about 10 people as a side- it makes a lot so adjust accordingly. Hope you enjoy it! Xo