Cooking on a hot stove is the last thing you want to do when summer temps soar into the triple digits. But that doesn’t mean you have to settle for boring meals. Head to your local farmers market for fresh, colorful vegetables. You’ll not only be supporting local farmers, but you’ll also be getting the best products of the season — ones that are rich in flavor and peak nutritional value. This bright, crunchy salad features the tastiest farmers market finds. Serve it as-is for a light, healthy lunch, or pair it with your favorite protein for a beautiful, filling summer dinner.

SERVES 1 – 2

Ingredients

Salad

• 1 large tomato

• 2 small cucumbers

• 1 large sweet pepper

• 1 handful beans

• 1 corn on cob

3-Ingredient Salad Dressing

• 1 lemon (for juice and zest)

• ¼ cup olive oil

• Sea salt to taste

• Minced garlic (optional)

• Fresh oregano, dehydrated tomatoes, dehydrated starfruit, summer marigold,or edible flowers for garnish

Directions

For salad, rough chop veggies into unique shapes and sizes.

For the dressing, squeeze lemon juice and zest into a small jar. Add twice as much olive oil. Shake. Add extra lemon juice, olive oil, or garlic to suit your taste. Add a pinch of sea salt. Shake.

Plating

Place veggies on a plate or in a bowl. Toss for a colorful mix or arrange in rows for a visually appealing Cobb-style presentation. Drizzle with 3-Ingredient Salad Dressing. Garnish with fresh herbs, such as oregano, or dehydrated heirloom tomatoes or starfruit, for added flavor and beauty. Top with a summer marigold for an extra burst of color.

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