Welcome to the world of summer salads where freshness and flavor come together in perfect harmony. Our Sunny Seven-Layer Summer Salad is a vibrant, colorful delight that captures the essence of sunny days and shared meals. It’s a perfect dish for those warm afternoons when you crave something light yet satisfying.
The backbone of our salad is the iceberg lettuce, providing a crisp, refreshing base. Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and juiciness, while canned corn brings a hint of natural sugar and texture contrast. Cucumber is there for that cool, hydrating crunch, paired with red onion for a touch of sharpness. The shredded cheddar cheese gives the salad a creamy richness, and fresh dill offers a fragrant herb aroma that ties everything together. The dressing, made of sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper, adds a tangy creaminess that enhances every layer. Finally, crumbled bacon introduces a smoky savoriness, and croutons provide that satisfying bite.
This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like chicken or steak. It also complements seafood dishes, such as shrimp skewers, beautifully. For a simple meal, serve alongside a crusty baguette and a chilled glass of white wine.
Begin by taking a large glass bowl to showcase your salad's layers. Start by evenly spreading the chopped iceberg lettuce at the bottom. This forms the foundation of your salad. Next, scatter the halved cherry tomatoes over the lettuce, followed by a layer of drained corn. The vibrant colors should already be making you smile!
Continue by adding the diced cucumber over the corn layer. Now, gently place the thinly sliced red onion on top of the cucumber. It’s important to distribute these evenly for a balanced bite in every forkful. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the onions, letting it blanket the salad with its creamy goodness.
For the dressing, mix together sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey, salt, and black pepper in a separate bowl. Once combined, pour this creamy mixture over the salad, spreading it out to cover the ingredients completely. This will seep into the layers, marrying the flavors together.
To finish, sprinkle fresh dill, crumbled bacon, and croutons on top. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. This gives the salad time to chill and the flavors a chance to meld beautifully.
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