I’m always looking for fun summer salads. The kind that is perfect to serve at home and/or take to a cookout or party. This Avocado Tomato Bacon Pasta Salad has a little Southwestern flair and fits the bill. Best of all, the fabulousness just doesn’t stop with this Avocado Tomato Bacon Pasta Salad.

Shredded Chicken (Pollo Mechado) Arepas
I’ve been on a little Arepa kick lately – I made these Shredded Chicken (Pollo Mechado) Arepas which were fabulous, then went on and revisited the other Arepas on my site, my Chicken Avocado Arepas. So of course, I needed to revise my post on how to make the actual Arepas, which are the little “buns”.

Cubby’s Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
I haven’t posted a big ol’ salad for a while and for a while I’ve been intrigued by this Cubby’s Beet & Goat Cheese Salad. As stated on Cubby’s website, the salad is a mix of Spring Greens, Roasted Red Beets, Toasted Pistachios, Goat Cheese, Avocado, Orange Slices, Orange Zest, and Orange Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Ina Garten’s Guacamole
I made this beautiful guacamole recipe from Ina Garten some time ago; I never did post it. I thought it would be nice this time of year when we’re all looking for a little sumpin’ sumpin’ to make and bring to Christmas parties or game day get-togethers, so here is Ina Garten’s Guacamole.

Southwestern Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich
I’ve made a few versions of smashed chickpea avocado sandwiches. It’s been a try this with the recipe, try that with the recipe, using whatever’s at hand. I haven’t come up with an actual “recipe” that I wanted to share, though, until I hit upon a combination of Southwestern flavors. So here’s my Southwestern Smashed Chickpea Avocado Sandwich.