Wow! After yesterdays cookie craziness, I think it’s time we all eat a few salads. Did you miss our chewy chocolate chip cookie post? If you did check it out here!
When I think of summer a few things immediately come to my mind – freshly cut grass, the beach, ice cream, Hawaiian Tropic and SALADS. I don’t know if it’s because I have to be in a bathing suit, but I always crave green, crispy, cold salads. Summer comes early in Las Vegas, so we decided we should kick off summer early by throwing a salad bar party. The great thing about having a “bar” party is that your friends can customize their salads to their liking. And you don’t have to limit yourself to one big cobb or strawberry salad. You can have like 9 mini salads instead. We did this salad bar party during a play date and while it was chaotic with our littles running around, it was great. I provided all the makings for the salads and friends brought drinks, appetizers, bread and dessert. Like with our grilled cheese party here, butcher paper was used on top of the table. I love doing this because not only is it cute, but it makes clean up simple and quick!
You know what else this salad bar post is foreshadowing? A summer salad series! Over the next few weeks we are going to share yummy salad ideas, but also include homemade dressings that compliment each one perfectly.
Ideas for your salad bar party:
Lettuce:
- Romaine
- Spring Mix
- and/or Spinach
Veggies:
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Green onions
- Zucchini
- Tomatoes (yes, I know this is actually a fruit).
Fruits:
- Apples
- Pears
- Strawberries
- Avocado
Cheese:
- Mozzarella
- Goat cheese
- Feta
More Toppings:
- Hard-boiled egg
- Dried cranberries
- Sunflower seeds
- Homemade croutons. Try the Pinning Mamas!
- Candied walnuts or toasted almonds
- Corn
- Beans – black, kidney, or chick peas
Protein:
- Chicken
- Bacon
- Tuna
Dressings:
- A balsamic based dressing
- Ranch
- A nice homemade dressing
One thing I wish I would have done was written up some creative mix-ins to help with salad inspiration. For instance, you could have a Mexican salad with romaine, black beans, corn, chicken and ranch dressing. Or a strawberry salad with spring mix, strawberries, dried cranberries, feta cheese and chicken. There are so many combos!
You can’t really see the place cards we used in the photos, but below are some freebies for you to print out. Of course you don’t NEED place cards for your party, but it kind of brings the cute factor up a notch. I’ve included the ones we used as well as some blanks. I also have 2 5×7 blank cards so that you can write your salad inspirations down. Enjoy!
What’s your favorite salad?
Download the first set of place cards here
Download the second set of place cards here
Download the blank place cards hereDownload blank 5×7 cards hereKeep your eye out for our upcoming salad posts filled with delicious dressing recipes!
Don’t forget that sharing is caring – pin, pin, pin!
Lauren says
I love this! I want to throw one now. 🙂
Ashley says
It’s so easy and fun! Just get a babysitter for the kids so you can enjoy it. hehe Let us know if you throw one. 🙂
Jen @ PinKWhen says
Ok, I can’t keep coming over here in the mornings to visit, I am always hungry and your fabulous recipes and pictures make i worse! At least today was a salad! 🙂 i’m going to head out for a salad today 🙂
Ashley says
Maybe we need to start an exercise blog that everyone can follow so we can lose all the weight we gain by taste testing. Enjoy your salad!! And go ahead and reward yourself with a cookie. It’s only fair after a healthy lunch. 🙂
Cyndie says
Excellent idea and post
Ashley says
Thanks! Hope it inspires you to have a get together of your own. 🙂
Sarah Bailey says
I’m not a huge fan of salads but this looks like a really nice idea – might even get me trying 🙂 xx
Ashley says
Slather it with ranch and I promise you’ll like it. 🙂
Tabitha Vos says
This is such a great idea. 1. I have been on a salad kick lately 2. It is healthy as opposed to calorie filled party foods 3. I already have 2 parties (maybe 3) lined up for June and this might be what I do for one of them! Thanks for the idea and the printables!
Ashley says
Thanks for commenting! Salads are just perfect and so versatile in the summer, arent they? You’re a busy woman with 3 parties already lined up in June! If you have an ice cream party please invite me. 🙂
Sarah C. says
Yum! What a great party idea. I bet my 3.5yo would love this – he’s a huge veggie fan. 🙂
Ashley says
You have to share your secret to having a veggie loving 3.5 year old, please! 🙂
Dannellys rosario says
This is a great idea for a party and at the same time it’s healthy and easy to do. I really like this post and I will be sharing. Thanks! 🙂
Kimber says
So glad you liked it! We had so much fun doing it! Thanks for the comment!
Beth says
We (friends and I) are so tired of grilled chicken caesar salad. Too tired to figure out how and where to get together that’s inexpensive and fun. What an ideal solution. BTW: shopped for the cookies and getting ready to bake now.
Ashley says
Sounds like you need to have a salad party WITH these cookies. 🙂 That’s what we did!