Favorite Summer Salad Recipes

Warm weather brings thoughts of cool food and recipes that don't require a lot of indoor cooking. Who wants to tend a long, slow cooked meal when the sun is out and the warm weather beckons?Here are three warm weather salads that have become some of my favorite summer salad recipes.None of them require you to be any where near an oven or hot stove except to boil some water, and all are perfect for even the hottest summer days. Serve them as side vegetable dishes or as a light lunch with a green salad and crusty bread. Shrimp and Avocado SaladThis is a lovely salad recipe that is great as a side salad or as a light luncheon recipe. Serve it in lettuce cups for lunch along with some fresh crusty bread and a great dessert. Just perfect!1 pound frozen cooked shrimp, thawed1 cup celery, thinly sliced2 tablespoons Italian salad dressing4 tablespoons mayonnaisesalt and pepper to taste1 avocado2 teaspoons lemon juiceCombine the shrimp, celery, Italian dressing and mayonnaise. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill, covered until ready to serve.When ready to serve, peel and dice the avocado. Mix immediately with the lemon juice to prevent the avocado from going dark. Add to the shrimp mixture and mix gently.Serves 6Cucumber SaladThis recipe is delicious, but oh so easy. It's a great recipe to serve company at a barbecue because it gets made ahead and sits in the fridge for a few hours until you are ready for it. The best summer entertaining recipes are ones that don't require the host and hostess to be in the kitchen cooking while guests lounge outside. 3 large cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced1 1/4 cups red wine vinegar1/2 teaspoon celery salt1/2 head of lettuce, shredded1 tablespoon honeygood pinch black pepper1/2 teaspoon fresh dill, chopped4 tablespoons olive oil1 teaspoon Dijon mustardToss all the ingredients thoroughly in a large salad bowl. Chill for 2 hours before serving.That's it!Lime Jello Cottage Cheese SaladThis is a lovely light salad recipe that is perfect for a summer barbecue but also works well all year on a buffet table. The addition of cottage cheese may sound odd, but it is a great flavor mix with the Jello. The crunch of the celery and green pepper add another layer of flavor and fresh taste.1 - 3 ounce package lime jelly powder1 cup boiling water1/2 cup cold water 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice1/2 cup mayonnaise salt and pepper3/4 cup chopped celery1/2 onion, chopped1/2 green pepper, choppedBlend with beater and chill until firm 1" from edge of dish. Turn it into a bowl and beat it until it becomes light and fluffy. Fold in 1 cup cottage cheese, celery, onion and green pepper. Chill fully before serving.Don't forget that most of your favorite summer salad recipes are great all year round too.