Grilled shrimp and nectarine salad

 

This salad is another fresh and healthy dish on a warm summer day, or if you want to remember the summer. 

Start with fresh mixed greens, add vegetables. I love cook cucumbers, red bell pepper, grape tomatoes, and grated carrots. Add ripe nectarine, almonds and grilled shrimp. 

Grilled shrimp:

-season shrimp with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and garlic (or garlic powder)

-grill shrimp for 2-3 min or until shrimp is pink. 

Strawberries, candied nuts and crouton green salad

This salad is light, refreshing, and so easy to make! 

Start with fresh greens (I used a mix of romaine lettuce and mixed greens), add other vegetables-I love cucumbers, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, mushrooms. Add feta cheese for a nice tangy flavor to off-set the sweet of the strawberry and candied nuts.

Add candied nuts and croutons. Top with your favorite light dressing. I love balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. The balsamic vinegar works nicely with the strawberries and feta cheese.

Candied nuts:

-line a pan with parchment paper and spread nuts on the pan

-mix about a half cup brown sugar with a table spoon of water. (Add more water to loosen) Add about 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Stir. Drizzle mixture over nuts and toss lightly. 

-Bake at 250 degrees, tossing nuts every 5 minutes until nuts are dry. (Approximately 30 min)

-cool nuts and store in an airtight container

Homemade croutons:

-Cut bread (Sourdough, roasted garlic, anything thick with work best) into bite sized pieces.

-Drizzle with olive oil, salt and garlic powder

-Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes or until the bread is toasted and dry. 

-cool and store in an airtight container. (My kids snack on these croutons so I usually make a double recipe)

Other fun options:

-I sometimes add roast chicken (from Costco-can't beat the flavor, convenience, or the price!) Grilled shrimp is also amazing with this refreshing and tasty salad.