Broccoli Salad & a Tomato-Basil Salad

good morning friends. i am LOVING our little vacation. {if you’re not sure what i’m talking about – check out my post earlier this month} spending time with my parents, eating homegrown veggies, playing for hours in their huge backyard, the kids get to ride mopeds with my dad & husband while i make dinner from the garden.

here are two amazing recipes made with vegetables in season right now.

broccoli salad

{adapted from a recipe found on allrecipes.com}

1 head of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces
½ c. raisins
¼ c. red onion, chopped
2 t. white sugar
2 t. white vinegar
2 t. water
½ c. mayonnaise
1 c. sunflower seeds
3-5 slices of bacon

1. place bacon in a skillet and cook on medium-high heat until evenly brown. set aside.
2. in a large bowl combine broccoli pieces, raisins and red onion
3. in a smaller bowl combine white sugar, white vinegar, water and mayo: wisk until combined
4. add the smaller bowl to the larger bowl and toss until well combined
5. refrigerate for 1-2 hours. sprinkle with sunflower seeds and chopped bacon and serve

tomato & basil
{my own little recipe!!}

4 c. of small tomatoes
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
2 T. chopped basil, fresh
¼ t. fresh ground black pepper
1-2 t. of Italian seasoning with rock salt
{use whatever you have – i used tastefully simple brand}

1. cut tomatoes in half
2. add olive oil, basil and seasonings
3. rest on the counter for about 30 minutes before dinner so the ingredients can come together

i made both the brocoli salad & tomato-basil salad and craig grilled some chicken — and wa-la, dinner is served!