Summer Salads---It is all in the presentation :-)

I love salads! But what I don't like is eating salads at parties. Most people put their salad in a bowl--like the one below. The problem with that is to make it look pretty, most of the good stuff is on top and the first five people who go through the line take the majority of it--leaving a less inviting salad for the fifteen people who follow.

So here is an idea I got from my SIL, Judy S. Instead of using a bowl, use a platter!

This way all the good stuff can be evenly distributed and no matter how many people eat the salad, the rest of it still looks beautiful. This salad is one of my most favorites. It is made from romaine lettuce and spinach and topped with Monterrey Jack cheese, mandarin oranges, diced apples, craisins, avocado and glazed pecans. Very yummy!

And for a salad dressing, here are two ideas. The first one is from another SIL, Jackie M. Take 3 parts Poppy seed dressing and mix with 1 part pesto. I know it doesn't sound that great, but it is easy, original and really does taste delicious!

For another recipe here is one called "Pink Salad Dressing" (creative, I know) from a friend in my ward, Karen H that serves 7-8.

1/4 medium red onion, chopped

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 tsp dry mustard

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/2 cup vegetable oil.

Mix all ingredients--except oil--together in a blender. When the onion is liquefied, slowly add the oil.

This one is very yummy as well, and is also very pretty.

So . . . ENJOY your salad, and enjoy . . . the journey.