BLT Salad

• 1 lb bacon
• 1 lb tomatoes, chopped, or 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 head lettuce, chopped, or one box lettuce mix
• 1 box sprouts
• 1 cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced
• 2 small red onions, sliced thin
• Your favorite creamy dressing (ranch, buttermilk, honey mustard, or Caesar all work well)
• Croutons (optional)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)

Cook the bacon in a pan or the oven until crisp. Let cool, and crumble or chop up bacon into pieces. Toss the lettuce with the bacon, tomatoes, sprouts, cucumber, onion, and dressing. Top with croutons and cheese, if desired.

Mimi's Zucchini Soup

This is my grandmother's soup recipe, she makes it every year when her garden is in its full glory.

• 1 lb Italian sausage, ground beef, or ground pork
• 2 small onions
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 2 lbs tomatoes, diced
• 2 c shredded zucchini or other summer squash
• 4 peppers, diced
• 1/2 lb green beans, trimmed and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Brown the sausage with the onions and garlic in a large pot, then add remaining ingredients. Cook for 4-5 minutes, and then add 3 cups of water (or broth, if desired). Cover and cook on medium heat for 45-60 minutes, or until everything is cooked through. If you want a smoother soup, blend some or all of it in a blender.