Monday, July 18, 2016

Refreshing Tomato Basil Summer Salad

There is nothing better then a fresh cool salad in the summer.

This one is easy and quick and so good.

I'm calling it tomato basil since I used fresh basil from my garden of herbs.

To start,
I gathered my ingredients.
Fresh, Roma tomatoes about 2 or more depending on how many you have for dinner.
One cucumber, again this can be adjusted to your need.
Fresh baby Bella mushrooms and one green pepper.
Fresh basil shredded with my kitchen scissors 
and last, mozzarella cheese, shredded or cut into squares if you have a block of cheese.
I use fresh cheese when I can.

Pine nuts is also a very good addition added to the mix.


The dressing is one of my favorites called Super Fruits Balsamic Vinaigrette by, Walden Farms.
It is perfect for anyone eating gluten free and has no calories, fat, sugar or preservatives.
It taste great too. 
You know these calorie free dressing are not worth it if they taste bad, but I can say, this one is great.


Add a few sprigs of fresh basil after chopping and adding the peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms and cucumbers.

Shredding with my kitchen scissors and toss through.


Once mixed, I place all in this pretty old Pyrex glass bowl.


At this point, you can mix the dressing throughout and toss
 or let each one add their own dressing.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese and enjoy!


So good when served with grilled Bratwurst or any main dish meat, pasta or rice.
It's a nice meal when the days are so hot you don't feel like eating much!!


I added a slice of gluten free bread baked from a mix by King Arthur brand.
It was easy, quick and very good toasted.


My little basil tip.
 When I pick fresh basil for cooking.
I cut a few stems and wash leaving the stems in place while in the fridge.
Shake off the moisture leaving a bit in place to store in a sandwich bag with a bit of the zip lock open for air flow. 
It lasts a few days and ready to use when needed.

Hope you might try this easy and quick summer salad.


Bon Appetit

~See you next time~



46 comments:

Alessandra said...

Mmm...your salad is delicious! I usually eat salad everyday...it' s my favourite food! Thanks for the recipe
Hugs
Alessandra

craftyles said...

I love summer salads and this one looks delish! Also love your pretty pyrex serving bowl. Thanks for the basil storage tip. I keep having to trim my basil up and sometimes have so much I can't use it all. Will try this for sure!

Anna said...

The perfect meal for Summer !!!
Have a cool week !
Anna

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Basil is my summer herb, but this year since I did not grow any, unfortunately, I haven't used it much in recipes, but it's so FRENCH and Italian, my two favorite cuisines!

Are ya lovin' this summer? I AM! So much I've learned while enjoying each beautiful day. Blessings to you dearest Celeste!

Sue Kosec said...

Yummmmmmmmmmmmy.

I hope y'all enjoyed this feast!
xo
SuZeQ

Gypsy Heart said...

This looks yummy! I believe we're in the midst of hot and humid summer days and yes, this salad would be divine. Thanks so much for sharing!

xo
Pat

Jan Hermann said...

Love the new blog design Linda did for you - it's just beautiful. And this salad is just what I needed - for a change in salads was due. I'll be trying it soon, along with the dressing!!

Hugs,
Jan

Lisa said...

Celeste
This salad looks delicious and easy. That's my kinda salad! Thanks for the recipe!

Stacey said...

This sounds wonderful for summer meals!! I'm definitely going to make this tomato basil salad. My hubby will love it. :)

Your new blog look is beautiful!

Claudia said...

Hi Celeste,
what a delicious Summer Salad! We have a similar salad today too :O)
I love salads like this one! and i love your Glas Bowl, it is beautiful!
Have a wonderful nwe week, my dear friend,
sending Love and Hugs and Blessings,
Claudia xo

Debbie Harris said...

Mmmm...does that ever look delicious, Celestina.
Basil is my ultimate favorite herb and yours sure looks nice and firm. Excellent combination of vegetables for this salad, a must try. :)

Have a wonderful God filled day~~

living from glory to glory said...

Oh it looks so fresh and yummy and healthy...
Love the plate your serving it on!
Hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer!
I love it when someone else makes a salad and I just get to sit down and eat it! LOL
Always xo

Julie's Lifestyle said...

I love all sorts of different salads during the summer Celestina! Your salad looks so good! I am going to make this! Thanks for the recipe!
Stay cool and enjoy the week.
Julie

Valerie-Jael said...

Yummy, I love salads like this - enjoy! Hugs, Valerie

quakerhillfarm said...

This looks delicious! I am just starting to get fresh veggies from the garden so this I am sure will be a winner! Thanks for sharing.

Row homes and Cobblestones said...

Hi sweet Celeste,
I will definitely make this salad, looks refreshing, simple and healthy. I will skip the meat and enjoy a larger portion of salad. Really loving your new blog redo. Guess what? Today I finished my fairytale photos! Now it's finishing my poetic story and then eyes, fingers and toes crossed I will post this Friday on my blog. I truly have been working continuely on it and feel I've been too MIA in Blogland. Just want to say, love ya sweet Celeste and your posts always enrich my day.
xoxo,
Vera

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Oh, this salad looks so good, Dear Celestina! I love basil and the vinaigrette sounds so good - I must look for this. I like the tip of cutting the leaves with kitchen shears :) Take care and hope your week is sweet. Hugs xo Karen

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Ooh Celeste, the salad looks like a perfect summertime treat. Thanks for the dressing suggestion, too! I have some fresh basil growing outside on my patio and everything else to make this yummy salad. I love your pretty Pyrex salad bowl for mixing and serving! Love and hugs for a beautiful day!

Kim said...

That looks so pretty and I bet it tastes delicious!

Ginny said...

Looks yummy! We have been eating so many salads lately because our appetites are not cooperating! I will have to try your recipe. That vinaigrette looks
like something I would like. I love summer salads! The other day, I made the original JLHudsons Maurice salad. We had it for two days!

Stephanie said...

Oh Celeste, your salad looks and sounds tasty and refreshing. Normally I don't care for tomatoes, but this summer I can't get enough of them and have been enjoying them almost every day. Your salad is definitely something I must try soon :)

Wishing you a joyous week. Love and hugs!

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

This sounds so fresh and delicious! I love eating light with a salad like this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

cloches and lavender said...

This looks great for a warm summer evening. Nothing like good tomatoes and fresh basil.

Cindy

Unknown said...

Celestina Marie, Mmmm! Looks and I'll bet tastes delicious! Thanks for sharing your receipt.
Larry

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

What a great recipe and sounds so good. I will have to pick-up that dressing. Thanks so much for the tip.

I'm hungry, but to hot to cook, so this will be great.

Stay cool, we are going to have high temps starting Thursday. Not look forward to that.

Hugs to a sweet friend.
Mary

Deborah Montgomery said...

This salad looks so fresh and delicious, Celeste. We had a salad tonight with some leftover salmon. Quick and easy, and cool when it's hot outside. Don't you love getting fresh herbs from your garden? I do not grow any vegetables, but I do grow herbs, and I love to go out on my deck and snip off some fresh thyme or rosemary.
I got a peek at one of your pretty nails, too, of interest to me with my nail problems :)
Hope you have a great week. Blessings, Deborah

janice15 said...

Sounds so yummy.. Refreshing as well.. Ty, with love Janice

Donna said...

What a yummy sounding salad, Celestina! Thank you for sharing! I just love using fresh basil for cooking, and have a big pot of it on our deck. It's supposed to heat back up here by the end of the week, with temps in the upper 90's, ugh!

Art and Sand said...

It sounds yummy!

handmade by amalia said...

The perfect summer lunch! Looks delicious.
Amalia
xo

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Such a pretty and refreshing salad and I know perfect for these hot Summer days.
So neat when we can use the goodies from our garden to enhance our meals!
We are still getting some cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, and peppers too. I am just afraid that the heat is going to zap their strength though.
Enjoy your Tuesday my friend!
xo
Jemma

La Petite Gallery said...

I love Basil and it is not Summer without Tomatoes and cukes and basil, Oh yeah, watermellon and BBQ

Anonymous said...

Hi Celeste! Oh, your summer salad sounds and looks to delicious! I love fresh Basil. We have a couple of little tomato plants and are not getting any! I think the squirrels or chipmunks are eating them when they turn red. My daughter told me she shreds some 'Irish Spring' soap around the plants and because it has such a strong smell the critters don't bother her plants! ;) We'll see. Oh, I just thought you were always from Texas. How wonderful you lived in that area. It was lovely and how we enjoyed seeing the beautiful growing fields. Dearborn was a sweet town. Thanks again for following along with me on my little trip.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Conniecrafter said...

I will have to confess, I do not care for tomatoes, exception is in salsa, and I think it is because it takes on the flavor of all the other ingredients, I know how good they are for me. Also cucumbers have never been a real favorite of mine, can you tell I am a picky eater :) But I do agree, a nice big salad on these HOT days is nice... This week is going to be in the 90's with heat index in the 100's, so we will be eating light all week, hope yours is off to a great start!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

What a lovely salad. That would go perfectly with tonight's pasta. I love balsamic and the fruity sounds fabulous. In fact, I picked up an orange flavored balsamic from the Farmer's market today. Thanks for sharing the lovely salad. xo

Sandi Magle said...

That looks delicious Celestine...really nummy, will have to try it soon. Our tomatoes are just starting but the cucumbers have been crazy this year. Thanks for the new recipe, Sandi

Creations By Cindy said...

What a great summer meal! Well, for that matter any season meal! I love salad. This looks yummy! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Mrs. W. said...

Good morning,

My that does look refreshing and tasty! I love salad anytime of the year, but especially in summer. I would love to try that vinaigrette dressing, too; I have never heard of it before.

♥Hope

Jill said...

I enjoy making salads through the summer too, just some days when it's 100 plus degrees it's not worth firing up the stove :-) That dressing sounds too good to be true, lol. I will have to try to find it. What store do you buy it from? Absolutely love the bowl too. Have a wonderful evening.

Blessings,
Jill

La Petite Gallery said...

Celestina, I love Basil. Thanks for the comment and the great salad.
My daughter Renee bought me the best herb scissors. I had never seen anything like them they shred every time you cut,so it saves chopping.
yvonne

Createology said...

What a delicious and fresh salad for these warm Summer evenings. I had not seen your new banner and it too looks fresh and bright for Summer. Thank you dear for sharing. I find cooking everyday to be a tedious chore and this salad makes it less chore and more Yummy!

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Celestina, that salad looks devine and tasty. This is the kind of weather for something like that. Thanks for the basil tip. I buy it at the store and it always looks so pretty and green that I try to make a bouquet out of it and it doesn't last at all that way..Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your kind words on my last post. Keep in touch (hopefully next week) for the unveiling..xxo Judy

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Celeste! This recipe again sounds good for a night like tonight (I am predicting it will again be HOT!)

Thank you my dear for coming to visit my blog. Creativity from God knows no bounds, does it!

Pondside said...

This looks simply delicious!
Your new blog-look is lovely. Well done!

Stephanie ~ Angelic Accents said...

This looks so good! And I've never seen such a pretty clear Pyrex bowl like yours before!

Red Rose Alley said...

Oooooo, what a Yummy salad. It's nice on a hot summer day. I think balsamic dressing is my favorite these days. I was just telling my son to get bratwurst at the store today. :) Your meal looks delicious, Celestina.

~Sheri

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Celestina Marie
Celestina Marie

Welcome To Rose Garden Market from Celestina Marie Design. It is so nice to meet you. My name is Celestina Marie named after my grandmother and my friends call me Celeste.My creative journey extends over 30 years enjoying the love of painting and redesigning vintage and new treasures. I love to go treasure hunting and the fun of finding great vintage pieces to redesign..