I love cooking fresh vegetables in the summertime and love being a part of the Summerfest 2010 community where bloggers feature recipes for certain produce for the next few weeks. To participate, read more about Summer Fest on  Away to Garden from Margaret. This week’s theme features beans, greens and herbs, whichever you choose. My recipe for Green Beans with Cilantro and Pine Nuts is so easy and light. I added some leftover corn from grilling out the night before, but this recipe is great with or without it. The fresh lime juice and pine nuts add great flavor to this simple side dish.

I’m always looking for new recipes and ideas on how to prepare salmon since we eat it so often. I have been beyond incredibly busy lately with work, kids and more work. I love this recipe because it’s so easy and fresh and can be prepared in under 30 minutes. Plus, it’s really light and healthy. I made this recipe for NBC 13 “Daytime Alabama” that will air this month, and it is one of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter’s wonderful recipes that I tweaked (just slightly) for TV.

Summertime is the perfect time of year for Grilled Chicken Salads for dinner. This recipe idea comes from a restaurant in Birmingham I love, The Cantina. They make an awesome Cilantro Vinaigrette. My version is slightly different with a touch of coarse-grain mustard and sugar.  It is also fabulous with shrimp or fish.

I am amazed how many subscribers and fans on facebook I have that are college students, and I thank all of you and am so excited that ya’ll are cooking while in college! Carlie, a college senior at the University of Georgia, has particularly enjoyed when I post salad recipes, and she told me she has tried all of them. She asked me to “keep them coming” so Carlie, this one’s for you. This salad is a cinch! The ingredients are very simple and easy to find. Feel free to substitute salmon for the chicken or even add thin cooked vermicelli or rice noodles to this salad. I kept the dressing very light, but it is a little tangy so if you want to add more oil, feel free. 

Asian Chicken Salad

Prep: 25 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

5 cups shredded romaine lettuce

1 large seedless cucumbers, thinly sliced

2 cups shredded carrots

1 tomato, thinly sliced

11/2 cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

1/4 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts, toasted

2/3 cup rice wine vinegar

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon canola or sesame oil

2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Preparation

1. Combine lettuce and next 8 ingredients in a large salad bowl. Whisk together rice wine vinegar and remaining ingredients and pour over salad, tossing gently.