*This is a collaborative post.


Though summer looks quite different this year, we’re still all basking in the glory of summer sunshine. The hot rays bouncing off our face make us thirsty. And, of course, you'll want your refreshing beverage to be accompanied by something, right? But during summer, I'm always craving something light and delicious. So this is when the summer salad comes to the rescue. There are an array of summer salads to choose from, and they’re most fun when you make them up on the spot with what you have at home. But it's not a case of just throwing anything in the bowl, you have to match flavors to make it the best of summer salads.




Another kind of caesar salad

Some of the best summer salads we know are the caesar salad, chicken salad, and tuna salad. They all have one thing in common. Their main ingredient is being tossed in a creamy mayonnaise sauce (though I don't like mayo on sandwiches, I do enjoy tuna and chicken salad, and caesar dressing or ranch). This shrimp salad would be perfect with a glass of iced tea. It's a simple 4-step recipe and you start off with simply leaving the shrimp out overnight to soften up to room temperature. Then you need to put them in a bowl and let the fun begin. Add in lemon juice, salt, pepper, and then toss. Now add in mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped celery and dill. Give it one more mix until everything is incorporated. You can serve on its own, or put the shrimp salad between some buns. If you want, you can add this to a pasta salad, which makes the dish go a lot further than it would otherwise. If you have a large family to feed, this is a no-brainer. Enjoy!



Pesto chicken salad



Prepare for a Mediterranean mix! This part of the world is famous for its unique salads and this one is no exception. With a mixture of Greek and Italian cuisines, you start off with grilled chicken that has been covered in green pesto. When cooked through, add the sliced chicken breast into a bowl. Now add grilled tomatoes and some sun-dried tomatoes (to taste). Grill some halloumi cheese and also add this to the salad. Slice some red onions and throw in some sweet basil. Drizzle over some extra virgin olive, Greek or Italian, either is fine. Give it a toss and you have a beautiful mouth-watering, but very healthy snack.



Ooey-gooey salad



If you’re a vegetarian, you’ll love this one. Make some mozzarella balls by buying some bocconcini, then coating the little balls in some beaten egg. You’ll then dip the balls into some fried bread crumbs and pan-fry them in some olive oil. Take them out as soon as the outside is crispy and golden brown. You want the inside to still be melted and ooey-gooey. Get yourself a bowl and in it, you’ll throw some sweet basil, some sundried tomatoes, some lightly fried croutons. Add in some raw baby spinach leaves, season with salt and pepper and, finally add a sprinkle of oregano. Yum!


Summer salads are very tasty, healthy, and most of all, really easy to make. This is something you can have with a glass of iced tea, a milkshake, or even a beer while out in the garden enjoying the sunshine.