A quick summer salad...Italian style ♥

Hello friends! ♥

 

Our Christmas celebration was so fun and we wished it could have lasted longer. 

But alas, it's back to reality and the 100 degree dog days of summertime! The days where my makeup literally melts off my face as soon as I step outside the house. 

 

I guess you could say I'm more of an indoor girl on these kinds of days. When I was a kid I remember on really, really hot summer days when my friends were off at the beach or an amusement park I would rather have stayed at home in my air conditioned family room watching The Price is Right and reading books.  But that's just me.   

 

In my defense, summer vacations were the only time I was able to watch The Price is Right, so you can't blame me.... : )

 

I haven't changed very much, have I?  ♥

 

 

(via)

 

 

Anyway.... today I wanted to share with you a very simple salad that I always make in the summer.  It's pretty much a staple around here. 

 

 

 

 

I was first introduced to this salad by my husband's Italian family.  I remember first eating it at his grandmother's house one hot summer afternoon.

 

I think it may have been the first time I ever had arugula.

 

I've been in love with it ever since! I put it on everything from pizza to eggs. 

 

Not kidding...it's that good!

 

 

 

 

This is not your average green.  It has a peppery taste - almost spicy. 

 

It's really delicious. 

 

 

 

 

For this salad, all you do is take some arugula, and toss it with red grapes. 

 

Drizzle on a little olive oil and a dash of salt.

 

 

 

 

 The cool sweetness of the grapes is the perfect company for the spicy arugula. 

 

 

 I love this salad with a nice summer meal.

 Last night we had balsamic chicken and corn on the cob.  Yummy!!!

 

There was also peach cobbler for dessert, but I'll save that for next time ♥

 

 

(via)

 

 

Wherever you are I hope you are staying cool and enjoying these dog days of summer!

 

Get outside and do something fun!

 

Don't be like me : )

 

xoxoxo

 

 

 

 

 

Arugula & grape salad ♥

Today I would like to share with you one of my favorite summer salads.  I posted this picture on Instagram the other day.  I was surprised to hear how many people love arugula!

 

 

 

 

 

Arugula wasn't something that I grew up eating.  In my house we always had our salads with iceberg lettuce (which I love!).  The first time I ever had this salad I was in my 20's.  It was a hot August afternoon at my husband's grandparent's house. They were celebrating a special festival day in Italy and it was a big family affair. We were all eating outside. There was music, bocce, pasta, grilled chicken, homemade pizza, wine (oh, was there wine!) and this salad! It was a fun day! The kind you think back on and smile ♥

 

You know how there are just some things that stick out in your mind? Well there are two things that I distinctly remember about that day. #1 I discovered I'm a terrible bocce player and #2 I fell in love with arugula!

 

I also had never had grapes in a salad before. Grapes? Really? Let me tell you....it's so good! The sweetness of the grapes balance the peppery flavor of the arugula.  It's so delicious and perfect for summertime!

 

 

Start with arugula....

 

Dress it with a little olive oil, salt & pepper.

 

 

Then add a handful of red grapes.

 

Toss together and enjoy! That's it!

 

 

The other night I served it with BBQ chicken, potatoes, and corn.  It was the perfect addition!

 

 

 

The next night I added a can of white beans to the salad and topped a pizza with it.  It was delicious!

 

Arugula also makes me feel like I'm eating something super fancy, but in fact, I'm not.  It's just good and that's all you need to know : )

 

I'll be back soon with my summer bucket list.  Have you made yours yet???? It's time!

 

Bye! xo