Warm Potato Salad For Summer and Buffets

Summer is a time to start thinking about salads. There are many reasons to think of eating more salads, whether it's for health reasons, better diet or because the weather calls for them: hot, lazy days that call for no-fuss salad selections. Since cookouts take precedence over traditional oven fare in summertime, we are all looking for new additions to the buffet table.

The French eat outside all summer long and enjoy refreshing salads that can be thrown together in minutes. This fact inspires me to come up new and different salads all summer long (yes, that's like 4 months worth of salad creating!) Picnic-style food is in great demand from June through September.

Here is one of those creations. I tend to change my recipes around because I'm not one to eat the exact same salad or dish over and over. I like to use what's on hand. But in this case, I've made this salad several times as per the following recipe while entertaining guests and people love it!

Add fresh bread, rolls or biscuits to round out your meal then finish up with fresh summer fruit (with or without the whipped cream!) and you'll find that summer is a great time to be tossing up salads in the kitchen. And in the end, (and in my book) you can never have too many salad recipes. (Ever.)

Warm Potato Salad for Summer Buffet Table

Serves: 6

What I like about this salad is the brightness of the broccoli and lettuce that offsets the white from the potatoes. Using red russet or new red potatoes adds lovely contrast to the white and green. The touch of mayonnaise brings out the comfort-food feeling and is a crowd-pleaser. It is also important to use fresh broccoli and to not over steam it. I find that frozen broccoli just doesn't hold up as well in this salad.

Another few good points about this salad is that most people like potato salad and most people (yes, even kids) actually like broccoli so combining the two gets applause. Adding broccoli and some lettuce adds lightness and fiber to the salad, making it more "digestible". Add some leftover meat that you have on hand, and the meal is complete, all in one bowl. Finally, this salad can be made in advance and chilled, it can be served at room temperature or chilled.

2 lb. Potatoes, red russet or new red1 ? cups broccoli florets1-2 cups lettuce, broken into bite-size pieces2 green onions? cup olive oil1/3 cup mayonnaise2 tablespoons cumin1 tablespoon chili powder2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snippedsalt and pepper to taste

optional: 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (if serving as main course salad)

Peel and coarsely chop potatoes to desired size. Place in large pot; cover with water, bring to boil and cook 15 minutes. Potatoes should pierce easily with fork but still firm. Be careful not to over cook or potatoes will be too mushy for salad.Chop broccoli into bite-size pieces. Steam 3-5 minutes until tender-crisp.Prepare dressing ingredients by whisking together olive oil, mayonnaise, cumin, chili powder and cheese in small bowl. Set aside.Drain potatoes in colander when ready, let cool slightly before adding to serving bowl. Add broccoli, chicken and lettuce (if using); add dressing and toss. Sprinkle with parsley.

Can be served warm or room temperature.

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Yummy! Easy to Make Summer Desserts: Homemade Ice Cream, Cherry and Banana Cream Pie

Summer is the perfect time for get togethers with family and friends. Whether picnicking, beside the pool, camping, or just relaxing, we love desserts that are cool, refreshing, and easy to make. But of course we want them to be delicious and something our family and friends will remember. This article has recipes to make your summertime delicious. Lemon Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream, and Cherry and Banana Cream Pie will bring you rave reviews.

NO ICE CREAM FREEZER NEEDED LEMON ICE CREAM

2 lemons
1 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar

Finely grate 1 tablespoon of the lemon rind and put into a large mixing bowl. Squeeze lemons for 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice. Add juice to the bowl with the grated rind. Add the whipping cream and the sugar to the bowl.

Using electric mixer, beat on high speed until soft peaks (tips fold over) form when
the beaters are lifted. Transfer from the bowl to an air-tight freeze-proof container.

Freeze ice cream for at least a couple of hours or until firm. Garnish with thin strips of the lemon rind, if desired.

VANILLA ICE CREAM

4 cups whipping cream
2 cups half-and-half cream
2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla flavoring

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat just until it bubbles around the edges. Remove from the heat and add the sugar, stirring until sugar is completely dissolved. Put in refrigerator to chill for at least a half hour.

Remove the chilled sugar/milk mixture from the refrigerator and add the whipping cream, half-and-half cream and vanilla flavoring. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture into the freezer can of ice cream freezer and follow the directions of your particular freezer.

CHERRY AND BANANA CREAM PIE

1 graham cracker pie crust
4-oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup thawed whipped topping
1 pkg (4-serving size) cherry gelatin
1 pkg (4-serving size) french vanilla cook and serve pudding mix
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup very well drained maraschino cherries
1 cup firm banana slices

Mix the cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large bowl until well blended. Fold in the whipped topping. Spread over the bottom of the graham cracker crust and place in refrigerator.

Mix the gelatin, pudding mix, and water in a medium saucepan until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture just starts to boil. Remove from the heat. Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Stir in the bananas and cherries. Spoon mixture over the cooled cream cheese layer.

Refrigerate pie for 4 hours or until set. Garnish with whipped topping and banana slices or cherries, if desired.

Enjoy!

For more of Linda's dessert recipes visit her blog at http://ladybugssweettreats.blogspot.com/.

For her diabetic dessert recipes and information visit her at http://diabeticenjoyingfood.blogspot.com/.