by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: July 12, 2008

Salads are perfect for any season. During the summer, fresh and delicious produce is in season. Winters are the perfect time for warm, hearty salads. Quick and easy salad recipes can produce great food in a short period of time. Using healthy greens like spinach and broccoli is a great way to provide your family with wonderful nutrients and fiber.

This fresh spinach salad is versatile and easy, using only a handful of ingredients. Once you try the basic recipe, experiment with new additions. Slivered almonds and cheese are two favorite options.

Basic Spinach Salad

Ingredients:
1 pound fresh spinach
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
Pinch of granulated sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 diced avocado
8 slices bacon
2 chopped, hard-boiled eggs

Directions:
1. Wash and trim spinach, drying carefully.
2. Combine vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, and pepper in large bowl; toss avocado in mixture.
3. Cook bacon until crisp; reserve the drippings.
4. Crumble bacon into small pieces.
5. Toss spinach, chopped eggs, and bacon with avocado and dressing.
6. Top with 1/4 cup of the reserved bacon drippings.
7. Toss again and serve.

This easy side dish is a great way to serve broccoli. The best part is that it can be assembled the day before, so you have less to do at dinner time. It can be changed with the addition of your favorite seeds or nuts, celery, bell peppers, or raisins.

Easy Broccoli Salad

Ingredients:
4 cups broccoli
1/2 cup chopped red onion
8 slices bacon
1 cup shredded cheese

Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. Mix broccoli, onion, cheese and dressing in a large bowl.
2. Refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight.
3. Cook bacon until crisp, drain well.
4. Crumble bacon; add to salad and serve.

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