Cool salads for special celebrations

A colorful salad is great for a Fourth of July picnic.

You don't need to settle for an ordinary salad for an extraordinaty day when you can serve your delicious salads with a fourth of July twist. Get into the mood with these salads. Granted to please.

Trying to stay cool this Fourth of July? Here are some nutritious, easy to make “cool” food ideas. They are cool and refreshing, fun and festive to serve to your Fourth of July guests!

Red, white and blue cheese salad

Combine in a large bowl

2 cups cubed watermelon
2 cups sliced strawberries
2 cups raspberries
3 cups cubed piel de sapo melon
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tbsp. fresh, chopped mint

Drizzle with ½ cup of raspberry vinaigrette.
Serves 6

Fiesta salad

Combine these ingredients to make the dressing:

3 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
salt and pepper to taste
cayenne to taste
1 small clove garlic, mashed

Add these ingredients to the dressing:

2 cans whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, diced medium
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
4 green onions, chopped
3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped

Toss all ingredients together with the dressing.

Cool veggie salad

Combine the following ingredients together in a medium sauce pan, bring to a boil. Stirring until sugar dissolves.

3/4 cup vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon water
1/2 cup sugar

Combine the following veggies and mix together with the vinegar mixture above:

1 can (16 oz) French style green beans, drained
1 can (17 oz) English peas, drained
1 can (12 oz) shoe peg whole kernel corn, drained
1 jar (2 oz) chopped pimento, drained
1 cup chopped celery
1 green pepper, finely chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped

Cover and place in refrigerator for 12 hours, stirring occasionally.

All American salad

In a small bowl, whisk these ingredients together until smooth:

1/4 cup blueberry or raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup blueberry chutney
1/4 cup minced red onion
Salt and pepper, to taste
Incorporate 2/3 cup canola oil, until smooth

Toss together these veggies in a large bowl:

8 cups washed and torn salad greens
3 cups blueberries
2 cups hulled and sliced strawberries
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese

Add the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Top with 1 cup toasted almonds.

Firecracker macaroni salad

Combine all of the following ingredients in a large salad bowl:

1 pkg. cooked shell macaroni
1 chopped green pepper
1 small can chopped pimiento
1 chopped onion
1 cup chopped sweet pickles
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp. vinegar
1/4 cup sugar

Salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill for a couple of hours.