Thursday, August 14th 2008

It´s a must in summertime: inventive summer salads – simple and quick

I do notice again and again: Bavaria is beautiful and I have the privilege to live in the most beautiful spot of this country. Five lakes are around nearby, to Italy it´s just a stone´s throw and you can see the mountains. What do I need more? I live on a place where other people are spending their vacation. And a second advantage is the immense choice of leisure facilities especially during the summertime. In respect of sporting activities I think there is nothing missing. From hiking, climbing and paragliding in the mountains to sailing, surfing and swimming in the lakes, nordic walking, jogging, biking, skating or just walking in the flat area of the country, everything is possible.
Beside the sportive offerings there are a lot of cultural choices like open-air-cinemas, blade nights, night markets and and and…I am sure there is something for everyone.

Some days ago I participated on the festival which took place in the big garden of a castle which is just near to my village. A beautiful lake to my feet which looked like a painting from Lovis Corinth. The sun was shining, the water glittering and the smell of popcorn, sweet almonds, pizza, grilled fish, Asian rice pan and curry sausage everywhere.
Concentrated in one sentence: oh, what a wonderful day covered by a dreamlike scenery.

Not to forget the many different restaurants which I love to visit from time to time.
But beside all that I prefer to cook myself. And as already said, I like to create all kind of salads during the summer time.
Just imagine: a warm summer evening, the candles illuminate the lovely decorated tables and that all topped by a light, fresh summer salad with a fresh baguette and a glass of wine.
All that sounds good. And so I am going to present you a wonderful salad creation easy to prepare and very good in taste:

Lukewarm Lentil Salad with Fruits and a Honey-Lime-Dressing

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Dressing: Mix honey and lemon juice, then add spices and at last add olive oil and mix it again.
2. Boil lentils until soft – but not too soft.
3. Wash and peel apples, divide it into eight pieces and chop it.
4. Wash, peel and chop carrot.
5. Drop sultanas into into boiling water for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Remove immediately und dry them.
6. Let tangerines drain off. Fresh tangerines: peel and fillet them.
7. Brown peanuts lightly.
8. Mix warm lentils, tangerines, apples, sultanas, pink pepper berries, roasted peanuts and carott.
9. Add dressing and mix it again.

Mixed Summer-Salad with Scallops in garlic

Ingredients:

Zubereitung:

1. Wash scallops with cold water and dab them dry.
2. Wash salad leaves.
3. Wash and chop tomatoes (divide cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters).
4. Peel and chop cucumber.
5. Peel and chop garlic.
6. Dressing: Mix vinegar, sugar and lemon juice. Add spices and mix it again. Then add olive oil and mix it together again.
7. Heat some oil in the pan, add garlic and roast gently. Then add scallops and sauté them for 3 min. Season it with salt and pepper.
8. Arrange salad leaves, tomatoes and cucumber on a plate.
9. Sprinkle dressing over salad and arrange scallops and garlic on it.

Serve salad with fresh baguette.