This salad really hits all those magical taste bud notes! You have the sweetness of the orange, the crunchy anise flavor of the fennel, and the saltiness of the black olives….all tossed together with a lovely citrusy vinaigrette! I love how bright all the flavors are and it really is the perfect way to start or end your meal.

This is one of my favorite salads to make. It makes an excellent starter dish, served along the main course or can be served as a light main dish. The crispy pancetta, sautéed onion, and wilted spinach are all tossed together with orzo pasta and a lemony basil vinaigrette. Crunchy toasted walnuts and creamy feta are tossed in and really complete this dish. One thing I love about this salad is that there are so many different kinds of feta to experiment with. I prefer the French feta because of the balance of creaminess and saltiness, but I am currently working my way through the feta counter at the Middle Eastern market near me. They are so superior in taste to the pre-crumbled packages at the market. I encourage you to try and find a market near you. It makes a great salad to enjoy under the setting sun in the summer air.

This is a traditional Italian bread salad I like to make with lightly toasted ciabatta bread, cucumbers, a selection of summer’s best tomatoes and basil, then tossed with a light vinaigrette. The bread is slightly crunchy, slightly drenched in the vinaigrette. The crunch of the cucumbers and the sweetest of the tomatoes and basil makes this a salad that is truly is summertime in a bowl!

This salad starts with assorted greens and radicchio, adding apples and perfectly roasted beets, all tossed with Champagne vinaigrette. The goat cheese on top a baguette is a classic French Bistro addition to a salad. Toasty baguette, creamy goat cheese pairs perfectly with this tangy salad making it a great way to start or end your meal.  

This recipe maintains all that is classic Caesar – fresh, crisp spears of Romaine topped with just the right blend of garlic and lemon in a light base, bringing the salad to life, complimenting the lettuce, not drowning it.  Of course, it wouldn’t be a Caesar without being topped with savory homemade croutons that are beautiful in both appearance and in taste!