It's June, and that means it's time to bust out the cool weather meals!
Oh, man. It's that time of year again where you feel like you're melting just by stepping outside. I thought we had at least another month before we got there, but the recent heat wave made my kitchen the source of misery when I had to cook this week. That's why when I realized I had the tools to make a delicious salad, I was thrilled.
Salads are perfect for hot weather, and the flavors! How bright and snappy! I don't know why salads get labeled as some boring health food, because believe you me, there's nothing boring about a bowl of fruits, nuts, cheese, meats, veggies, and whatever else dressed with a tasty dressing. (Fig balsamic and blue cheese dressings remain my favorite.) Beyond that, because they're so quick and easy and light on the stomach, you can just as easily toss one together for lunch or make it ahead of time and put it in a tupperware. A lot of times, I like to just boil a couple eggs and chop a couple bits of fruit and bam—salad materials ready.
Literally just gotta toss it all in a bowl and mix it. I couldn't ask for anything easier to make.
And with the Strawberry Full Moon happening on June 3rd, there's nothing like a bit of strawberry mint salad to get into the season. So let's take a look!
Magic in Strawberry Mint Salad
Now, we've talked at length about things like mint, but another great addition to this salad if you can find it is some lemon verbena, which is also part of the mint family, but carries the friendly, purifying, bright qualities of lemon, too. Add that to strawberries, pecans, cucumbers, and the basil you season your chicken with, and you've got a recipe perfect for Friday picnics or date nights on the porch, or even a professional dinner where you're trying to grow closer to your colleagues. Remember: love doesn't only mean romantic love, so think outside the box!
In this salad, you've got some peak summer flavors—and some peak summer magic. The Moon, Venus, Mars, and Mercury all come into play equally here, to give you the energy to celebrate, to love, to communicate that love, and to be open with all, including yourself—and the elemental associations of water, air, and fire do the same. It's such a refreshing way to open yourself up to the party opportunities and sunshine you'll have to enjoy as we come into the warmest season!
Strawberry Mint Salad
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes 2 salads
Ingredients:
4 cups of spinach
5-6 large strawberries
2 small cucumbers
1/2 onion, sliced
1 1/2 lbs chicken
1/2 cup pecans, crushed
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
Salad dressing of choice*
8 leaves fresh mint
(optional) 5 leaves fresh lemon verbena
For chicken:
2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste
*I recommend some type of balsamic vinaigrette, or balsamic vinegar and olive oil. You can also use other proteins like boiled eggs or vegan options instead of chicken and just sprinkle a bit of fresh chopped basil into the salad.
Directions:
Chop your chicken into one inch cubes and fry in a pan over medium-low heat. Season to taste & let cook.
Dice, slice, & prepare the rest of your ingredients.
When the chicken is finished, lay down a bed of spinach, combine the ingredients with a dressing of your choice, and mix well.
Serve and eat immediately.
Fast, easy, and full of flavor, there's nothing like a salad with the works to keep cool on a summer night. If you've got some fresh strawberries growing, or you happen upon some at the store for a treat, give this a try! ♥
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Sara Raztresen is a Slovene-American writer, screenwriter, and Christian witch. Her fantasy works draw heavily on the wisdom she gathers from her own personal and spiritual experience, and her spiritual practice borrows much of the whimsy and wonder that modern society has relegated to fairy-and-folktale. Her goal is to help people regain their spiritual footing and discover God through a new (yet old) lens of mysticism.
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