One of my favorite holidays is the 4th of July. I love the time spent with family, celebrating our freedoms, watching parades, going to the rodeo, having water fights to stay cool, enjoying late night fireworks, and especially the delicious family barbecue. Most years I just bring some side or dessert that we enjoy, but this year I was thinking why not take something to match the holiday. What better to share for the 4th of July than a summer salad that’s full of red, white and blue?!?!Summer Salad

Candied Nuts

Ingredients

  • 1/2 C. Almonds, sliced
  • 1/4 C. Sugar

Directions

Place almonds and sugar into pan and cook over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally while the sugar is still hard. Once the sugar begins to melt stir continually for 3-5 minutes until the nuts are well coated and golden brown.

Immediately spread out onto wax paper or silicone mat. Allow the nuts to cool completely.

Poppy Seed Dressing

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Vinegar
  • 3/4 cup Sugar
  • 1-1/2 Tablespoons Onion, about 1/6 of a medium onion
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 3/4 cup Oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Poppy Seed

Directions

Place everything, but the oil and poppy seeds into a blender; Blend well.
Add the oil slowly while the blender is on. Add poppy seeds. Enjoy!

Detailed Instructions:

Place almonds and sugar into pan and cook over medium-high heat. Stir occasionally while the sugar is still hard. Once the sugar begins to melt stir continually for 3-5 minutes until the nuts are well coated and golden brown.Summer SaladSummer Salad Summer Salad

Immediately spread out onto wax paper or silicone mat. Allow the nuts to cool completely.Summer Salad

Place the lettuce, spinach or mixed greens into a bowl. {I used a spring mix.} Cube up a cold chicken breast, slice the strawberries, wash and dry blueberries. Place all of them onto the lettuce. Toss salad with about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of poppy seed dressing. Sprinkle the crumbled feta and candied nuts onto salad. Enjoy!Summer Salad

 

 I hope that you enjoy this salad as much as our family does and when it comes to deciding what to take for your family BBQ give this patriotic summer salad a try!

Summer Salad