We have the BEST neighbors. We have the best neighbors on our left. We have the best neighbors on our right. We have the best neighbors behind us. And we have the best neighbors across the street. We are SO blessed.
Our neighbors to the right, Rich & Susan, brought dinner over for us last night. Dinner included a fresh loaf of bread, divine chocolate cake for dessert, and a gorgeous and even more delicious summer salad. So so so so good. And so very appreciated.
Sweet Susan even shared her salad mix with us:
Susan's Summer Salad
2 large Gala apples, thinly sliced
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 large bag of spinach
3 cups grilled chicken (seasoned with S&P and olive oil)
1 red onion
Smoked Gouda Cheese
1 cup celery thinly sliced
1 cup cranberries
1 cup roasted pecans
Honey Mustard Dressing
Toss apple slices with lemon juice. Layer apples, chicken, and the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Toss with honey mustard dressing just before serving.
Thank you so much Susan! Your salad was just what the doctor ordered! Yummy!
What is YOUR favorite summer salad? Please oh please share with us!
xo,
Kim
I think my favorite summer salad will be the one you just posted. It looks so delicious. I'm going to make it tomorrow AND a loaf of bread!
Thanks so much for the recipe.
If you're not feeling well, I hope you will be soon.
Posted by: Mary Lou | July 30, 2010 at 12:11 AM
I love everything in that salad, it looks so delicious to me! So nice to have the friendship of neighbors. I just posted my new favorite salad...they are the best for summer! :D
Posted by: Julie Harward | July 30, 2010 at 12:15 AM
You are so blessed to have such wonderful neighbors. That means so much! And that salad looks so good! One of my favorite summer salads is fresh tomatoes (sliced) with fresh mozzarella and basil and drizzled with a raspberry walnut vinagrette. YUM!!! Love & blessings from NC!
Posted by: Melinda | July 30, 2010 at 12:47 AM
Bread salad...Yum! A lot of the ingredients are grilled:) Thank you for the new recipe!
Posted by: Marcy | July 30, 2010 at 01:30 AM
This salad looks very good and also very healthy. Thanks for sharing the recipe. I love to be able to see what the food looks like or at least what it's supposed to look like. :)
Blessings,
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie | July 30, 2010 at 01:36 AM
thank you for the wonderful recipe - greatly appreciated - i make a wonderful spring salad, so can you: i incorporate the spring mix and add walnuts, dried cranberries, diced chicken, "fresh gourmet" tortilla strips and sesame salad dressing. we are also, very blessed with wonderful neighbors we all share a dish or two - we are family here - thank you rich and susan for being so kind - i'll have to try your tasty salad - thank you kim and we hope your hubby is feeling better give him our best - in our prayers
love ya, maria - cottage feel -
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Posted by: maria | July 30, 2010 at 02:51 AM
Yum-- that would anyone feel better! have a great day!
Posted by: Valarie@wwwglimpseofmyworld.blogspot.com | July 30, 2010 at 05:53 AM
Aren't Good Neighbors one of life's richest blessings? We have terrific ones---always have. It's hard to remember one who wasn't, so we've been very lucky.
Our Right-Now salad is simply a few of the wonderful deep-red tomatoes five minutes from the vines outside the back door. Peeled and sliced into a good-sized bowl for him, and just sorta chopped, skins and all, into my bowl. A scatter of salt, and they sit and get acquainted for a bit while we finish up supper.
Then, his gets a nice spoon-clop of Blue Plate just before we sit down---he loves to do that age-old knife-and-fork criss-cross cut through and up and over, as the tender slices fall and turn in the juices, and the mayo melding into a scrumptious sauce.
Some days, I add a little minced sweet onion, or perhaps a Burpless cucumber, sliced with its bright skin on, or some torn basil leaves. And occasionally, for a little Miz Paula touch with a REAL Southern supper, we crumble in a few saltines or a little bit of cornbread, to get soft and creamy in the mix.
A fleeting season, and one of Summer's best delights.
Posted by: racheld | July 30, 2010 at 05:55 AM
That sounds so good! I am printing that for my files. Thanks to both of you for sharing.
I make this for lunch a lot: spring mix salad greens, bite sized chunks of pear, cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese (I have a friend who makes her own cheese!). I then mix up balsamic vinegar, a little oil, and honey to dress it. If I have some sourdough bread handy, that goes great!
Posted by: Mary Lou | July 30, 2010 at 06:38 AM
This looks fabulous, Kim. This just may be what is on the menu tonight at our house.
I hope your hubby's recuperation is going smoothly.
Have a great weekend! La
Posted by: La | July 30, 2010 at 08:00 AM
I had almost the same salad yesterday, but instead of a wonderful neighbor sharing it with me, I bought it at "Wendy's" -- good but not quite the same. My favorite salad is mixed greens, pineapple tidbits, mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, dressed with a little "Miracle Whip" thinned with pineapple juice -- and sprinkled with chopped candied pecans. Yummy!!!
Have a wonderful summer day -- I just had new sod laid in the yard so my days are spent watching it grow!!
Patty
Posted by: Patty | July 30, 2010 at 08:30 AM
I have two Kim: This one ... http://dreamingladolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer-sundays.html (watermelon, tomato and feta) and this one http://dreamingladolcevita.blogspot.com/2010/06/yum.html (grilled chicken salad with apples, grapes and walnuts).
Posted by: Stephanie | July 30, 2010 at 08:39 AM
How sweet of them!! I used to have the best neighbors when I lived in Central FL., I had three babies and my oldest was in kindergarten, and they would show up at my door every morning to sit with my babies while I ran my son to school, I never asked them to do this they just did it, now being a Mom you know what a treat that was!! I miss them so much. I don't have a Summer salad but I have been craving the citrus chicken wrap from "Crispers", mmm its so good.
Posted by: kelly | July 30, 2010 at 08:56 AM
i don't have a favorite salad. i like just put things together..it usually has chicken,lettuce,tomatoes,cranberries,nuts and a bit of shredded cheese. this is just seasy peasy..but my dressing is a mix of ranch dressing and a bit of barbeque sauce..mix and put on the side of course!
take care
Posted by: sarita | July 30, 2010 at 09:03 AM
I think the reason people have such good neighbors is because they are good neighbors themselves. It kind of goes along with that little saying, "to have a friend, you have to be a friend." I'm sure you are a wonderful neighbor, Kim! Thanks for the yummy recipe! I'm always looking for good healthy recipes. Have a wonderful day, everyone!!!
Posted by: Jeanine Q. | July 30, 2010 at 09:29 AM
Life is made so much sweeter when we have great neighbors, eh? I have some wonderful neighbors, too. But, I cook for them, they do things for me, a great trade off. I love the sounds of that recipe, I think I shall make it tonight!
I love spinach salads, but my favorite one is the Asian salad using coleslaw mix, almonds, sunflower seeds, Ramon noodles and a lovely sweet oil and vinegar dressing. I also love the brocolli salad with cheese, bacon, red onions and sunflower seeds, with a sweet mayonnaise dressing. I love salads as meals, but it's not enough for my sweet hubby, so they are a compliment, rather than the main dish.
Hugs, Cindy S
Posted by: Cindy S | July 30, 2010 at 09:40 AM
The salad looks wonderful! You are very blessed to have such good neighbors, but you already know that!
I hope you have a wonderful summer weekend!
~Dan~
Posted by: Dan | July 30, 2010 at 10:08 AM
That looks so good, Kim! I'll bet it tasted even better! A salad like this makes for a light but filling dinner, I think, when it is hot out. I just got some chicken the other day, too. Maybe I'll grill some up for a nice salad this weekend!
Posted by: Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions | July 30, 2010 at 10:34 AM
How blessed you are to have such wonderful neighbor's. So thoughtful of you to share this recipe, it looks so yummy. I just may try it tonight... As far as favorites summer salads go. I can put away some carrot-raisin salad from chick-fil-a... I love it. I found a recipe in the Blue Willow Inn Cookbook that's also very good.
8-10 large carrots, shredded
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup crushed pineapple
1/4 cup mayo
1 tsp. sugar
Combine and mix well and chill.
Have a blessed weekend!
Sheila
Posted by: Sheila | July 30, 2010 at 10:36 AM
oh my goodness!!! How awesome to be surrounded by "Blessings" like your neighbors are!!!! That salad looks delish' (as Rachel Ray would say)!! Again, thank you so much for sharing "Daisy Cottage" days with us!! Terri
PS: Hope your Hubby is doing better!!!
Posted by: Terri Driggers | July 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM
That looks great and I just copied the recipe to take with me tomorrow (we are headed to the beach woohooo).
Lately my fave salad has been tomatoes-chopped, cucumber, a bit of onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt pepper and a bit of sugar. Love it.
But I make a salad similar to this sometimes with strawberries, mandarin oranges, etc.
Posted by: Renee | July 30, 2010 at 11:02 AM
We are blessed with the best neighbors too! I love this recipe, thanks, Kim. Looks delicious, I'm trying it soon. Hope you are having a happy summer. xoxo lidy
Posted by: FrenchGardenHouse | July 30, 2010 at 11:27 AM
That salad looks absolutely yummy! Thanks for the recipe - I'll be sharing this with my neighbours tonight!
My favourite salad is spinach, leaf lettuce, red onions, celery, cuke, grilled chicken, goat cheese and tomato tossed with a bit of garlic olive oil and balsamic vinegar
Great to have good neighbours, isn't it?
Posted by: marianne | July 30, 2010 at 11:31 AM
What wonderful neighbors you have!! I have lots of favorite summer salads. Here is one that my husband loves:
My Five "P" Salad with Grilled Chicken
Season boneless, skinless chicken breasts with olive oil, garlic granules, sea salt and pepper.
Grill, let cool and slice.
In a big bowl add: toasted pine nuts, peas, pasta of your choice (I use bow tie), pesto and freshly grated parmesan cheese. Toss together. Plate up this mixture and add the grilled chicken slices on top. I add some parmesan shavings to the top for extra flavor and appearance.
Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
Posted by: Susan Freeman | July 30, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Thank you Kim and Susan for the great recipe. It is a keeper for sure. It is pretty too. I can't top it, that is for sure.
I like to serve a wedge of
Ice Berg Lettuce with crumbled Blue Cheese, died tomato, finely chopped red onion with crumbled bacon. I use a seasoned vinegar and olive oil dressing sweetened with a little sugar.
How is your husbands knee doing?
Nancy M.
Posted by: Nancy M | July 30, 2010 at 02:14 PM
Ooh, that sounds good. I love spinach salads, but you can only throw some italian dressing on a pile of spinach leaves so long before you get tired of it. :)
Thank you for posting this recipe! Can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Jackie | July 30, 2010 at 03:02 PM
You deserved it. Hope hubby is feeling better. My fav is very simple: romaine, mandarin segments,red onion,a handful of cranraisins and toasted walnuts with a sweet onion dressing (Sam's). I've added different cheeses at times like blue cheese or feta. I know sounds like a crazy combo but we love it.
Lucy
Posted by: Lucy | July 30, 2010 at 03:36 PM
Hi Kim, thanks for the salad recipe Susan, I love salads with fruit and cheese in them, my daughter is a mean salad maker so I leave the salad making up to her, they are always yummy!. Good neighbours are the biggest Blessing I think thats why I have lived in the same place for 27years in that time only one has moved away but we still keep in touch, we all grew up as young married couples in a new housing area we had our children around the same time it was just like family and still is so I'm very happy that you have that too Kim nothing better than people that care ;) I hope that your Hubby is doing well have a great weekend in the sunshine (it is pouring cats and dogs here at the moment but that's OK!! ;) ) Trish xox
Posted by: Trish Rowley | July 30, 2010 at 03:41 PM
Wow what a neighbor! YUM! That looks just delicious! My favorite summer salad has mandarin oranges, bacon, and chinese noodles in it, with a raspberry vinegrette. Thanks for sharing the recipe, I will be making this very soon.
Take Care, Dee
Posted by: Farmhouse Country Style | July 30, 2010 at 04:42 PM
Hi Kim!! Yummy salad & such sweet neighbors!! I thought of you this AM..we are on vacation at a popular lake in OK & I went flea marketing this AM & saw some things I knew you would like...its so funny.. I think to myself...Ohhh Kim would like this...& I bet Janet would like this & so on! LOL...Its fun to do that when antiquing by oneself:) makes you feel you have alot of friends!
Our summer salad has been so easy & so good...its HOT here in ok...temps over 100:( So... we buy spinach salad mix..pre-cooked cocktail shrimp..I add apples & raisins..&
any cheese you like...bacon bits..& ranch dressing!! YUM-YUM & nice & cool! We brought the stuff to eat on vacation...YUM!
Have a great weekend & next time I'll call ya...lol..really loud...to see if you want something:)
Hugs..
Deb:)
Posted by: SHABBYDEB | July 30, 2010 at 05:03 PM
Oh.My.Word! I want to reach through my computer screen to have it for my dinner tonight. It looks delish. I make one kinda/sorta similar...chicken, romaine and spring mix, craisins, walnuts, feta cheese, mandarin oranges and I use a Greek dressing...so so good...light and refreshing.
Nosey me ~ You mentioned it was just what the doctor ordered? Anything going on? Hope not and it was just a saying.
Happy weekend!
Hugs,
Kat
Posted by: Kat | July 30, 2010 at 05:40 PM
Oh that looks so delicious! I love any type of salad. I love green salads and fruit salads. In fact, my husband and I usually try to eat all the raw foods that we can. You are certainly blessed with your neighbors. I wish that I had neighbors like that.
Posted by: Kimberly | July 30, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Kim, this salad your kind neighbors shared with you looks and sounds absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing it with us as well. :)
I like taco salad really well - the kind that's all mixed up with yummy ingredients and Fritos and dressing - all tossed together.
Right now I'm sitting here eating sliced cucumbers and onions in a sweet-and-tangy cream sauce - something my mother used to do. I think it's Dutch or Pennsylvania Dutch or something. All I know is, it's good and refreshing!
Stay cool!
Posted by: Rhonda | July 30, 2010 at 07:43 PM
My favorite salad is my Mom's classic Italian style (which we always ate after the meal) which was romaine lettuce, plum tomatoes, celery, thinly sliced red onion, a few olives, a few chickpeas, some grated parmesan cheese and a dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar and s&p and a pinch of oregano. My mother would say that salad helps you digest your meal! Love your site Kim and the music is wonderful.
Posted by: Barbara F | July 30, 2010 at 07:50 PM
i went to shop at bed bath & beyond and came across really cute mason jars but, these have a handle on them for drinking- and on the face of the jar it has the words county fair and
an etching of a rooster- they look vintage- and country - they run about $ 1.99 ea. thought i'd share -
love ya, maria - cottage feel -
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Posted by: maria | July 30, 2010 at 08:45 PM
My favorite is my MIL's cabbage salad. Perfect for a summer potluck or picnic.
Posted by: Carrie@ My Kinda Boring Life | July 31, 2010 at 09:32 AM
Thanks for sharing your recipes! I like Fried chicken salad. Heres the recipe:
Chopped and deboned fried chicken
Choose your favorite dill or sweet pickles chopped
Boiled eggs chopped
Mayonnaise 1 1/2 cup
I usually place my fried chicken,deboned,in the food processor with pickles and boiled eggs. Mix well with favorite chopped pickles, add seasoning if you like with mayo. This is good on crackers. Another hint you can cook the chicken yourself or get it from your favorite chicken place. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: kim sills | July 31, 2010 at 02:46 PM
I just saw this salad recipe this morning in my new Southern Living magazine. Plan to make it tonight!!
Posted by: jmac | August 01, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Thanks for sharing Susan's recipe! It looks yummy, as do the other ones shared!
I have a very simple "Go-To" salad that makes a sandwich feel like a meal...My husband loves it on a hot summer day.
Easy to throw together
It is a Cucumber Tomato Salad with Greek Vinagrette dressing.
Just peel a long, large English (less seeds) cucumber and slice in half. Then slice in chunks about 3/4 inch thick.
Use either wedges of large tomatoes or cut the small round ones in half. Drizzle with a fresh bottled Greek Salad dressing with the Feta cheese in it already (the one from the refrigerated section of your deli). Shake in a plastic storage container and let chill for 15 minutes best, but you can serve right away.
It's so easy, who needs the recipe? ;) But fast and refreshingly good with the wonderful summer tomatoes.
Posted by: Rhonda | August 01, 2010 at 04:39 PM