I can’t think of one meal that wouldn’t go well with a fresh salad. And with the farm stand at our finger tips, it seems like a no brainer to make this a part of our daily summer menu.

My kids love salad too! Which is something I couldn’t be more thankful for. These little animals LOVE chowing down on crunchy veggies on a hot summer night. We usually make a big bowl of it, and then everyone can add their own toppings and dressing of choice!

Over the years I’ve picked up a few different takes on how to make an awesome salad thanks to my sister and Aunti Debi. So keep reading if you want to learn a few different ways to spice up the salads in your life!

Kale, Fig & Plum Salad with Goat Cheese

I mean how gorg is this salad?! I’m a sucker for some beautiful figs so when they come in season, its fig central at the Kertzner residence! PS - Figs season is almost here! It runs August through October.

RAINBOW PLATE SALAD

This is what I would call an “everything in the kitchen sink” type of salad. You can’t go wrong here as far as what to add, but the key is color! My favorite ingredient that my Aunt Debi added to this bad boy is the peaches and pine nuts!

GRILLED NECTARINE, YELLOW BEET & CINNAMON ROASTED FIG SALAD

Not all salads need to start off with a green base and this is a great example of that! The roasted nectarines and beets serve as the bulk of this salad but my favorite part is the sweet homemade dressing that its topped with - honey & cinnamon! Perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth.

VEGAN SWEET CAESAR SALAD WITH ROASTED CHICKPEAS

This salad is my go to recipe for when I need to feed a crowd! Caesar salad is a classic recipe that everyone enjoys. But I love that Aunti Debi’s spin on it is vegan friendly so anyone with a dietary restriction at your party will always have a hearty option to enjoy.

Orzo Salad with Feta and Mint

My sister made this Orzo salad for us a few years back and its still one of my favorites to this day. It includes just 3 simple ingredients which means its pretty much fool proof! You CANNOT go wrong. Cook your orzo, mix in your favorite feta, and then top with mint. BOOM! You have a delicious salad that required no effort at all.