6 Steps for Building a Gluten-free Satisfying Summer Salad

Heather of glutenfreecat.com guest posted here. I love her little secrets to a satisfying GF Summer salad.

Here are 6 steps for building a satisfying gluten-free summer salad.

1.  Base:  Start with a few leaves – spinach, arugula, bibb, romaine, herb mixture – but just a few leaves.  Let steps 2-6 take the focus.

2.  Color:  Add as much color as possible – orange carrots, golden beets, red radishes, yellow peppers, purple cabbage.  The more color, the more flavor, the more nutrients, the more satisfaction.

3.  Sweetness:  Add fruit for sweetness – blueberries, blackberries, pear slices, peaches – whatever is fresh and available to add a sweet edge.

4.  Crunch:  Texture differences help satiety. Try some crunchy cabbage strips, cauliflower bits, pumpkin seeds, slivered nuts, sprouts, fresh corn kernels.

5.  Protein – Add strips of lean meat, beans, wedges of hard-boiled egg, shredded cheese, a dollop of hummus.

6.  Drizzle:  Drizzle your salad with olive oil, or make your own salad dressing by pureeing olive oil with veggies like roasted red pepper.

from glutenfreecat.com- Love the hearts!

Enjoy the bounty and flavors of summer, and celebrate another way that you can embrace your gluten-free life naturally

Speaking of : This dynamite salad is from glutenfreecat.com here

. Watermelon Jalapeno Love Salad

by Heather of glutenfreecat.com

Ingredients:

• 1 T. Raw Agave Nectar
• 1 T. Olive Oil
• 1 T. Red Wine Vinegar
• Juice of 1 Lemon
• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
• 1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
• 1/2 Seedless Watermelon
• 6 c. Baby Arugula
• 2 Avocados, sliced
• 2 Jalapeno Peppers, slices thinly and seeded

Directions:

1.  Place agave nectar, olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, salt, and chili powder in a mason jar.  Shake to mix.

2.  Slice watermelon into 1 inch slices.  Press a heart-shaped cookie cutter into the watermelon slices.

3. Place heart-shaped watermelon pieces in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over the top.  Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

4.  Wash the arugula and divide it between 6 individual salad plates.

5.  Place two watermelon hearts, avocado slices, and 4-6 jalapeno slices on each plate.  Drizzle with the remaining marinade.

Serves 6