Summer Salads

This is one of my favorite summer salads. Unfortunately, no ones else in my family likes it, so when I make it I have to eat it alone. Perhaps I will make it for picnic in the park next week. It's a great way to use up tomatoes and onions, which are often in abundance.

Tomato Crouton Salad

• 3 large tomatoes, cut into bite sized pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped (I prefer a sweet onion, but use your favorite)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley or basil
• 2 cups croutons
• 2 Tbsp. Italian dressing

Toss tomatoes and onions and parsley with the dressing. Just before serving, add croutons and toss again. Serve immediately. (The croutons get soft quickly, so don't add them until the last minute possible.) So yummy! And easy. And I'm all about easy.

BLT Pasta Salad

This is a salad that always gets good comments at a picnic or barbecue. It's a little different than the norm, but it's easy to make. And it has bacon. It's hard to go wrong with bacon.

BLT Pasta Salad

2 cups uncooked macaroni
5 green onions, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, diced
1-1/4 cups diced celery
1-1/4 cups mayonnaise
5 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cook macaroni, drain and rinse in cold water until cooled. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, green onions, tomato, and celery. In a small bowl, combine the mayo, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over macaroni mixture and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Just before serving, stir in bacon.