A Taste of Summer

If you want a sure fire way to get a taste of summer in your mouth and have zero leftovers, you have to make this salad.  It's a must.  I get rave reviews every time I make this easy concoction and never, ever have any left to take any home with me.  

With the weather warming up, this is a great recipe to add to your repertoire!

A few weekends ago we were invited to our friends' house to have an outdoor movie night.  We wanted it to be easy, so the hosts ordered pizza and they asked us to bring a salad.  

I knew instantly that I wanted to make this one and thought for sure I had already blogged the recipe. When I saw that I hadn't, I couldn't believe it!  I had to post this ASAP.  This salad is simply the best.

With warmer weather on the horizon and an outdoor setting, movie night was the best time to bust out this salad for the first time this spring/summer.  

Generally if I am taking this specific recipe to an event or friend's house I will make all of the components at home and then assemble the salad and mix just before serving.  It holds up better that way and really seems fresh when you bite down.

I have to say it was the perfect compliment to pizza, wine and a movie with some of our besties.  This salad would also be great topped with grilled chicken or steak for a quick weekday meal.

Summer Strawberry Salad
Print here!

• 1 head of lettuce (romaine, green leaf or red tipped is best) chopped, or 1 bag of spinach
• 1/2 C shredded carrots
• 1 1/2 C sliced or chopped strawberries
• 1/4 C shredded (not grated) Romano cheese (I always get the tub from the deli area of the grocery store)
• 1 C toasted and chopped walnuts or candied pecans
• 1 pkg. Good Seasons Garlic and Herb dressing

---Optional:  Bacon Bits and Croutons 

Following the directions on the packet, make the Garlic and Herb dressing a few hours before assembling the salad and store in refrigerator.

In a large salad bowl, place chopped lettuce or spinach (or both) in the bottom, followed by the carrots, strawberries, cheese and nuts.  Don't pour dressing (as much or as little as you would like) and mix until ready to serve.

Tips:

---It really is a MUST that you use this exact dressing to have the most flavor impact.  Other dressings are ok, balsamic would be my second choice, but the Good Seasons Garlic and Herb, to me, is a must. 

---My little one doesn't care for the salad, but loves the strawberries.  If you are bringing your kiddos along, cut up a few extra strawberries and plan on keeping some out so that they can feel part of the dinner as well.