The Gourmet Mama

Image By Double Reed

Summer is the perfect time for salads because they are refreshing, tasty and most importantly, require no turning on the stove and adding to the already hot day! Here are a few quick and easy salads that you can make in less than five minutes that will have your family asking for more, and you thinking “why didn’t I try this earlier?”.

Easy Corn Salad

This great summer salad is hearty and filling and makes a great addition to any potluck or party that you go to. I’ve taken it with me to dinners many times and have been asked for the recipe every single time because its such a hit. I love it because its so simple and you can add your own little twist on it if you like!

1 Bag Frozen Corn

2 Medium tomatoes

1 green onion

3/4 cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip

You can thaw the bag of corn ahead of time, either overnight in the fridge or in a bowl before you go to work or if its a last minute decision, throw it in a big bowl in the microwave for 5 minutes stopping to stir it every couple of minutes. If there are still a few kernals that are frozen, don’t worry about it. Next, chop the tomatoes into small chunks and dice the green onion. Then all you do is mix everything all together and you have your corn salad!

Mayonnaise works for this salad but Miracle Whip adds a little bit of tang to it. I’ve added shredded cheese, real bacon bits, hot sauce and minced jalapenos at different times to add something different to it but its up to you to leave it the way it is or add whatever else you have on hand.

Asian Supreme Salad

This salad is also quick and easy but with the asian flare to it, it makes it seem like you spent hours in the kitchen to prepare a gourmet salad even though it took you less than 5 minutes.

1 Bag mixed greens (you can get the greens yourself and wash and chop them…but why would you want to do that?)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 carrot

handful of snow peas

1/4 cup Orange Sesame Dressing

For this salad, you simply grate the carrot, throw all of the ingredients together and toss. Its one of those salads that you just can’t seem to get enough of and I’ve sat down and ate the entire bowl on more than one occassion.

Spinach and Feta Salad

For a more Greek approach to salad, try putting together this super simple spinach and feta salad that mixes some great flavours and makes you feel like you have gone out for dinner…well, except for the pile of dishes waiting for you.

1 bag baby spinach leaves

1 small apple

1/4 cup walnuts

1/2 cup feta, drained and crumbled

1/4 cup chopped red onion

This salad is all about layering. First, put the spinach leaves into a bowl, next sprinkle with the chopped red onion. Chop the apple into small chunks and sprinkle those on top, followed by the feta and finally, the walnuts. Put it on the table like that and serve it with a simple vinegar dressing by mixing 2 parts vinegar with 3 parts oil.

Photo by Darwin Bell

Avocados are a true slice of heaven, rich and creamy and jampacked with nutrition. But if you don´t know how to pick one that is actually in good shape, you´ll probably be sadly disappointed. Don´t worry, I´m here to tell you exactly how to select that perfect avocado.

First of all, the best time to buy an avocado is before it´s ripe. Look for very firm fruit with uniform skin. Depending on the type of avocado, it may have a dark green, almost black, pebbly skin or a lighter green, smooth skin. This isn´t important. What matters is that there are no cuts or blemishes on the fruit.

Take the avocados home and wrap them in newspaper and store in a cool dark place (not the fridge) to let them ripen. This will give you the absolute best quality, since you can check them each day and use them just when they hit that point of ripeness that is perfect for eating.

A ripe avocado should give under your fingers when squeezed, but it shouldn´t be squishy. If you do need a ripe avocado directly from the store, look for one with the stem still attached and flick this off. The flesh under the stem should be light green and healthy looking. If it is brown or spotted with mold or rot, don´t buy the avocado since it will be rotten inside.

Use a knife to cut the avocado open lengthwise and then whack the pit lightly to stick the knife into it. Give a quarter twist to loosen the pit and it should pull right out. You can then either slice the flesh or scoop it out with a spoon. Avocado begins to brown once it is exposed to the air, so either serve right away or rub a cut lemon over the exposed surfaces to delay browning.

Avocados contain a healthy type of fat that makes them an excellent snack for kids, as well as over 20 nutrients and vitamins. This handy fruit can also help lower cholesterol and boost absorption of fat soluble vitamins if taken at the same time.

We´ll be featuring several avocado recipes over the next few days, but here is a nice simple one to start you off.

Super Veggie Guacamole

2 large avocados

juice of 1 lime (about 1 tablespoon)

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 large tomato, diced

2 green onions, minced

1 small onion, minced (optional)

dash of salt

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced

Scoop the flesh of the avocados into a bowl and mash until mostly smooth. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Let sit for 30 minutes in the fridge before removing the clove of garlic.

Serve with nacho chips, pita bread, or spread on bread as a yummy sandwich base.

Makes about 2 cups.

We´re two sisters who love food, cooking, and sharing great meals. With one of us being a mother of two beautiful little boys and the other being a nanny for over 8 years, we have both perfected the art of creating healthy and tasty meals on a tight schedule and a sometimes tight budget for very picky little eaters.

We believe that cooking shouldn´t be a dreaded chore, but rather something to be enjoyed. Our blog will provide you with all the information you need to become a gourmet mama yourself and have fun doing whipping up yummy meals for your family.

We will be posting information on kid friendly meals, dishes with 5 ingredients or less, make ahead meals and of course, those sinful little treats that help you make it through the day. We´ll also share our shortcuts for making elegant meals in less time and our tips on picking the best produce and brands we love.

So check back often and become a real Gourmet Mama! Better yet, subscribe in a feed reader and get the latest tips and recipes in your feed reader.