a cool salad for a hot day

For the past 4 days the temperature in my home town of San Mateo has been hovering around 100. I love hot weather, and besides, as my friend Madhu said in her blog (post called Summer Solstice), this is nothing that a Kolkata girl cannot handle! http://lifeinallitsrandomness.blogspot.com/ .

It is too hot to use the oven, so what to eat? These are 2 of my favorite eats when the weather heats up.

Summer Stone Fruit Salad with quick & easy dressing

A couple of handfuls of mache, arugula or mixed baby greens
2 medium ripe (but firm) nectarines/peaches/pluots - cubed, and preferably slightly chilled
A dollop or two of goat cheese - optional
1/8 to 1/4 cup spicy nuts ( I like the spicy pecans from Trader Joe's)-optional

Salad Dressing
Get a small jar with a tight fitting lid.
Add Balsamic Vinegar, Splenda or Sugar, salt and cayenne to taste.
Shake all the above and taste and adjust as necessary
Add Extra Virgin Olive Oil to taste (I swap the traditional percentages, and
like to use only 1/4 to 1/3 the amount of oil compared to the Acid.

Add the dressing at the last minute, just before serving.


Lassi (Indian Yogurt Drink)
About 20 ounces of non fat or low fat yogurt (I prefer to use TJ's or Fage Greek Yogurt for its high protein content)
juice from half a regular lemon or 1 small meyer lemon or lime
Splenda or sugar to taste (I like 5 packets of splenda)
A smidgeon of salt
A smaller smidgeon of cayenne

Mix all the above with a fork or stick blender - adjust seasonings
Add about 20-30 oz of cold water to taste and mix again.
Add a few ice cubes if you want yours colder.

Voila! you have a cool, refreshing drinkable entree, with lots of protein, zero to no fat, and lot of water to keep you hydrated on a hot day.