marinated salad Archives - Feet Under My Table

Favorite Summer Salads

Leslie J Watkins — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:36:20 +0000

With all of the fresh produce coming in, I don’t know about you, but it’s full on salad season here. With always a few more feet under my table, making wise use of that produce in abundant summer salads makes my heart happy. And perhaps theirs, too. Do you have favorite summer salads? I have several that I hit on repeat. Whether you are planning outdoor garden parties, picnics or even planning for a July family gathering or even Labor Day get togethers, I hope you’ll add these to change up your menu. Here are a few of my favorites. Corn Salad SOOOOO good, this one. Corn salad…Fresh cooked corn cut off the cob, cherry tomatoes, red onions and basil are the basis of the great flavor that it brings to the table. Since this one highlights corn, this is a great July menu addition. Plus it’s one less side with mayo. Summer Grilled Chicken Salad If you need a full meal deal salad that provides an entree all in one, this is it. A favorite to tuck into a picnic basket or take to the screened porch. So full of flavor that this one is simply hard to stop eating. And…every bite is gone from the bowl each and every time I serve this one. Add summer grilled chicken salad to your menu. Add this salad to jars and take along for boat rides or picnics in the park. By adding the dressing to the bottom of the jar before adding the salad ingredients, this keeps all the ingredients fresh until you move the jar around adding in the dressing before eating. Actually, its great to keep for several days by just adding to individual jars for salads for lunch for the week. Summer Cantaloupe Salad With melons are in season, there’s nothing better than adding them to a salad. This cantaloupe salad makes a great lunch option. As cucumbers, tomatoes, basil and cantaloupe appeared at my favorite produce market, this one was on the table. Enjoy! Marinated Salad This recipe came from Aunt Helen. It has been shared over and over again and has become a favorite in each community it travels to be on someone’s table. You can find this recipe shared among the pages of this month’s VUE magazine. What makes this recipe wonderful is that it is better made a few days before serving and because of it’s ingredients handles the heat of outdoor gatherings well. Tortellini Salad This is one of my absolute favorites. Such a different take on a pasta salad. A twist on traditional pasta salads, the mix of fresh veggies and cheese tortellini give a great one meal option when lunches need a little more. Trust me, you need this one in your life. Grandmother’s Potato Salad We all know that summer gatherings and picnics always have a potato salad thrown in the mix. Right? This is the potato salad recipe that was passed from my grandmother to my mother and now is the one I often make without thinking. I know. There are all kinds of potato salads that offer variations from vinegar to mayo to bacon to hot dressings…but, we often gravitate to those recipes in our lives that remind us of other family gatherings. It is often is created and served in my grandmother’s crock. Just because the memory of my grandmother and mother creating it brings me joy. In fact, it was added to the table when the last 22 family members joined us for feet under my table. And? it was all eaten. Strawberry Salad If you are a strawberry lover, this strawberry salad is for you. This one was featured in the VUE recipes. So easy and delicious. Asian Soba Noodle Salad And last, but not least, is this Martha’s Vineyard inspired Asian Soba Noodle Salad. Oh, my goodness. Can’t get enough of this one! Oh, my goodness! What salad is your favorite? There are many more in my favorites list…but, this is for starters. Don’t miss out on all of the wonderful fresh fruits and vegetables that scream new recipes for a great summer salad. And for fun, make serving them a bit more special. Just click on the links to shop.. I’d love to know your favorite salad in the comments! Happy Summer Salad enjoying,

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Let’s Plan a Favorite Fourth of July Menu

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 14:07:12 +0000

Do you have large family celebrations that need a favorite fourth of July menu? I’m raising my hand here. We will celebrate with kids and grands this year and I am so ready to bring out all of the favorites. Of course, there will be grilled burgers. With lettuce, tomato, cheese and all the toppings. RIght? Chips, fruit and maybe a charcuterie wreath might be there for grazing…. And what fourth of July menu doesn’t have fresh corn on the cob? Here are a few of more of my very favorites to have on the July 4th menu: 1. Potato Salad First on the fourth of July menu…Is it even a fourth of July picnic or gathering without potato salad? Everyone has a favorite one…but, my grandmother’s and mother’s version will be on the table for sure. A few weeks ago, 22 of us gathered with feet under my table and…the potato salad was loved for sure. Not sure if the littles get it yet, but all of the adults went back for more. Click here for the potato salad recipe if you need it. 2. Marinated Salad Next on the menu? Aunt Helen’s marinated salad has been made and taken across the country to family gatherings. It’s taken to families in times of healing or loss and never misses a summer family gathering here. Again, this recipe was featured on the table for the last family gathering. I love that this salad just gets better with a few days in the refrigerator…making prep time easier to plan for your July 4th menu. It will probably be made in Florida, Kentucky, and Idaho for family celebrations this year. It’s featured in this month’s July VUE magazine. Aunt Helen would be so surprised! 3. Blueberry Favorites If blueberries are still available for the fourth of July menu, fresh will always be added to fruit platters and bowls. But, this blueberry galette might be added in for dessert. For the best cool and delicious pie, this Pampered Chef inspired one may be your new favorite. I have no clue how many dozens of these I have made and served in my lifetime. A summer dessert staple for sure. You can find this one featured in the VUE magazine, you’ll find the recipe here. 4. Homemade Ice Cream Now…any fourth of July menu will require home made ice cream. There will always be vanilla with all the toppings. There are always a few that require vanilla…but, then I laugh when the chocolate syrup, sprinkles, M & M’s, and whipped cream get added. Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream cones may also need to be on the menu. Both recipes will give you a no churn, EASY AND DELICIOUS ice cream. Just a tip…feel free to add in your favorite candy or fruit in to create your own favorite version. It’s rich, so it makes the BEST one scoop cone servings. 5. Favorite Sweet Tea Very few family celebrations are held without this favorite sweet tea recipe. Published years ago in our local newspaper, it has been enjoyed with gallons and gallons over the years. And one more for the road… Mini Cheesecakes If you love a great recipe that is perfect for individual servings that don’t require a scoop or cutting and serving…this one’s for you. I love how you can decorate them for any holiday. I love the little pinwheels I found at Home Goods to top them for the July 4th menu. Find the recipe shared in the Vue magazine here. A little lemon zest makes them perfect. Whatever you choose to have on your table for your July 4th celebration, may all of it be made with love and enjoyed by all. Here’s some fun finds to make your gathering even more festive…just click on the photo to shop…no extra charge for you…sharing the joy of finding sweet surprises. Happy Fourth of July week, friends!

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A New Tradition with a Favorite Marinated Salad

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Sharing a marinated salad that is a family favorite for potlucks, celebration or funerals. Hope you will love it.

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