Summer...Bursting with Flavor!

Ahh, the flavors of summer...there are so many to experience!  Farmers' markets are overflowing with so many wonderful choices now: fresh peaches, plums, cucumbers, melons, beans, squash, garlic, greens, carrots, okra (it's a long list & it's hard to eat them all, but I try!!)...along with juicy tomatoes, zucchini, corn, onions & dill - all ingredients in this beautiful mix I call 'Taste of Summer Salad.'  Served on a bed of greens, such as romaine or arugula, this is so satisfying as a main dish - yet it may also be served as a side dish with something lighter like the Traditional Spanish Gazpacho Soup below, which also utilizes some of the same fresh, seasonal ingredients.  Enjoy these dishes - & savor summer!

Thanks to Kathy Hemingway Desruisseau for this gorgeous picture!!  I demonstrated these dishes in my Whole Foods 'Raw Food 101' class on Friday & she made them both on Sunday!  Kathy, you RAWK!  :-)

Taste of Summer Salad
 

Ingredients:
2 C grated zucchini
2 C chopped heirloom or other juicy fresh tomatoes
2 C fresh corn kernels
1 1/2 C red onion, diced

1/2 C fresh dill, minced
2 avocadoes, cubed
2 Tbs lime juice (~ 1 lime)
1/4 C olive oil
1 tsp Himalayan or sea salt
Fresh cracked pepper
 

Directions:
Add all ingredients to a large bowl & stir.  Serve on a bed of chopped romaine or arugula, if desired.

 

 Traditional Spanish Gazpacho Soup

Ingredients:
5 ripe tomatoes (about 5 C)
1/2 cucumber
1/2 red bell pepper
2-3 cloves garlic
1/4 cup water
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp Himalayan or sea salt

Directions:
Reserve 2 C of tomatoes, dice and set aside.  Add all other ingredients to blender & blend until smooth.  Add diced tomatoes and stir.  If possible, chill for a few hours or overnight to let the flavors marry.  Garnish & serve.

Suggested garnishes:
Chopped cilantro or parsley
Chopped green onion or chives
Diced avocado
Diced cucumbers
A drizzle of olive oil
Ground flax or sesame seeds

Raw corn chips

Update -- view the YouTube videos for this class here:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4 - Q&A