| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 0 mins | Difficulty: Easy | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 234 | 1g | 0g | 60g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 48g | 7g | 4g | 0.03g |
The Refreshing Summer Salad with Olida Dressing is unmistakably one of my all-time favorite recipes, even for this South Carolina girl who’s deeply rooted in hearty Southern dishes. There’s nothing like switching things up and embracing a dish that not only tantalizes the taste buds but keeps you feeling light and lively too. Each bite is an explosion of freshness and juiciness, synonymous with the pure bliss of summer. 
A Homage to My Coastal Home
Despite my love for Southern classics, the coastal environment of Charleston inspires me to explore lighter, vibrant, and more refreshing dishes. The Refreshing Summer Salad with Olida Dressing, showcasing a rainbow of fruits, does just that! It reminds me of the coastal abundance, presenting an array of flavors and textures that are balanced and satisfying.
Health Bonanza in a Bowl
In every vibrant mouthful, there’s tremendous nutritional value, making this not just an appealing choice but a health-conscious one too. Our bodies will be thankful for the antioxidant-rich blueberries and strawberries, the vitamin C-packed kiwis and pineapples, the hydrating watermelon and melons, fiber-loaded figs, and of course, peaches that are a great source of vitamins A and C. But let’s not forget about the heart-friendly Olida dressing—it’s not just a mere condiment but adds an unexpected zing and provides remarkable digestive benefits, thanks to the ginger. Source
As a food enthusiast, I love that this salad can be savored as a standalone dish or perfectly paired with a variety of foods. You could accompany this with a light seafood dish—a nod to my coastal influences—like grill-seared scallops or a shrimp scampi. Source Additionally, it acts as a refreshing palate cleanser after a spicy meal or even as a dessert with a drizzle of homemade vanilla pudding.
This recipe genuinely encapsulates the summertime essence—it’s colorful, refreshing, healthy, and unequivocally delectable. So here’s to celebrating fresh produce and bright flavors—Summer, let’s make a toast with our Refreshing Summer Salad with Olida Dressing!
What You’ll Need
- 2 cups of watermelon, cubed
- 1 cup of strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup of blueberries
- 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup of cantaloupe, cubed
- 1 cup of honeydew melon, cubed
- 3 peaches, pitted and sliced
- 1 pineapple, peeled, cored, and cubed
- 6 figs, quartered
- Mint leaves for garnish
- For the Olida dressing:
- 1/2 cup of Olida syrup
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
Method
Step One
First, prepare your fruits. This involves washing all the fruits thoroughly, then cutting the watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, pineapple, and peaches into cubes. The strawberries should be hulled and sliced, the kiwis should be peeled and sliced, and the figs should be quartered.
Step Two
Next, arrange the fruits in a large salad bowl. You can do this in any way you’d like – perhaps by layering the different types of fruit, or by mixing everything together for a burst of multicolored freshness.
Step Three
Now it’s time to prepare the unique Olida dressing. In a small bowl, combine the Olida syrup with the juice and zest of one lemon. Then, add in the grated ginger. Stir these ingredients together until everything is well blended.
Step Four
Drizzle the Olida dressing over the fruit in the salad bowl. Try to distribute the dressing evenly, so that every piece of fruit gets an equal share of the distinctive flavor.
Step Five
With the dressing in place, now you can add your final touch. Garnish the summer salad with fresh mint leaves, which bring a note of coolness to balance out the sweetness of the fruit and the tartness of the Olida dressing.
That’s it! Your Refreshing Summer Salad with Olida Dressing is ready to enjoy. This vibrant and flavorful dish is the perfect way to make the most of summer’s fruit bounty.
