(more…)

During a getaway to Santa Barbara last month, Barclay and I took a day trip to Ojai and completely fell in love with the picturesque, laid-back little town. We wandered from shop to shop, stopped into a handful of cute cafés and wineries, and soaked up the California sunshine. But the unexpected standout of the day? A fresh watermelon salad from a sweet spot called Little Gem. ♡

It was everything a summer salad should be — juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, salty feta, crunchy nuts, fresh mint, and crispy shallots, all tossed together in a light and tangy vinaigrette. We couldn’t stop talking about it the rest of the week! So as soon as we arrived home, I started testing my own version, and it has quickly earned a permanent spot in our rotation during watermelon season.

It’s fresh, simple, and perfectly balanced with vibrant flavors — the kind of recipe that works just as well for a quick weeknight dinner as it does for a backyard cookout with friends. I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes to fry up a batch of your own crispy shallots, which add so much flavor here, but you can also just grab a bag at the store (we like the ones from TJ’s) if you’d like to save a step. Let’s make some salad!

(more…)

I love this pasta salad recipe so much. Like, so much. ♡

I first shared it here on the site nearly 15 years ago, and it’s been a summertime favorite in our house ever since. It’s everything I want in a pasta salad this time of year — nice and light, overflowing with fresh ingredients, and perfectly balanced with sweet and savory flavors.

Juicy melon and salty prosciutto are always an irresistible pair in my book, especially when combined with creamy mozzarella, peppery arugula, and a handful of fresh basil and mint. Everything gets tossed with bow-tie pasta and a quick white balsamic vinaigrette, which keeps the colors vibrant and adds the perfect bright, zippy finish.. It’s easy to make ahead, perfect for potlucks and picnics, and always disappears fast. Whether you serve it as a side or a simple summer main, this one’s a keeper!

(more…)

Nothing says summer quite like a big, beautiful bowl of fruit salad! ♡

I’ll be honest — I’m picky when it comes to fruit salads. You won’t find any filler fruit here (looking at you, apples and cantaloupe!). This one’s packed with all the good stuff: juicy berries and pineapple, fresh kiwis, crisp grapes, and a hint of soft banana. But the real magic is that zingy ginger-lime dressing. It’s bright, refreshing, and the grated fresh ginger adds just the right touch of warmth and spice to tie everything together.

I love serving this at brunches, picnics, or anytime our 4-year-old requests “rainbow fruit.” It comes together in minutes and disappears just as fast. Let’s make a batch together!

(more…)

Say hello to the recipe I will be bringing to every potluck and picnic this summer. ♡

This lemon herb potato salad is light, bright, and absolutely bursting with fresh flavor. It starts with tender baby gold potatoes tossed in a zesty lemon dressing, then gets layered with scallions and tons of fresh herbs (like dill, basil, and mint). No mayo here — just citrusy, herby deliciousness in every bite.

We’ve been serving this potato salad with everything from grilled chicken to salmon to veggie burgers, and it’s one of those sides that perfectly complements them all. It’s also super easy to make ahead and holds up beautifully at room temperature, making it great for entertaining or bringing along on a picnic. So if you’re looking for a fresh spin on classic potato salad this summer, grab your favorite fresh herbs and give it a go!

(more…)

Fresh berries are perfectly in season right now and gorgeous salad is such a delicious way to enjoy them. ♡

This balsamic berry salad is quick and easy to toss together, and absolutely bursting with fresh, vibrant flavor. Juicy strawberries, sweet blueberries, crisp baby spinach, toasted pecans, tangy feta, and lots of fresh basil — all tied together with a rich balsamic vinaigrette. It’s the kind of dish that instantly feels like summer on a plate and couldn’t be more delicious!

We’ve been enjoying serving this salad as a side dish lately, but you can easily add your favorite protein (such as chicken, steak, salmon) or a scoop of grains to turn it into a heartier main course. However you serve it, it’s impossible not to love this salad. So grab some fresh berries and let’s make a quick batch!

(more…)

Fresh, crunchy, and bursting with flavor — this panzanella salad tastes like springtime in a bowl. ♡

It all starts with golden, crispy sourdough croutons that soak up the bright flavors of my favorite lemony shallot vinaigrette. Then everything gets tossed with a crisp and colorful mix of roasted asparagus, baby arugula, mini cucumbers, radishes, crumbled feta and loads of fresh herbs for a salad that’s equal parts hearty, vibrant, and refreshing.

This recipe is incredibly flexible too, so feel free to swap in whatever spring veggies, greens, herbs or vinaigrette you love best. It’s hearty enough to serve on its own for a light meal, or perfect served alongside your favorite springtime mains. However you serve it, this gorgeous spring salad is sure to be a hit!

(more…)

New favorite use for a bag of frozen potstickers! ♡

This potsticker salad is a breeze to make with a handful of ingredients and couldn’t be more delicious! It’s made with a base of crisp cole slaw, cool cucumbers, creamy avocado, bright cilantro, and toasted almonds. Then just pan-sear a quick batch of frozen gyoza (veggie, meat, seafood — whatever flavor you love) until they’re golden and tender. Toss everything together with my favorite sesame-ginger vinaigrette and finish with a sprinkle of furikake. And this gorgeous and refreshing salad will be yours to enjoy!

This recipe is incredibly flexible if you’d like to swap in other veggies, herbs or nuts that might sound good. You could also add in some mango or mandarin oranges if you prefer a sweeter salad, or toss everything with your favorite store-bought dressing if you’d like to make prep even quicker. However you make this salad, the potstickers add such a fun, flavorful, crisp-chewy vibe to each forkful. So whether you’re serving it up for a quick lunch, an easy weeknight dinner, or even meal prepping for the week ahead, this salad is sure to become a new go-to. Hope you love it as much as I do! (more…)

Is there anything better than a really good Italian chopped salad? ♡

My favorite take on this classic is crafted with the perfect balance of bold flavors and fresh textures to ensure that every bite is downright irresistible. Crisp Romaine and raddichio bring the crunch, while savory salami adds a punch of zesty, meaty flavor. Juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives and zesty pepperoncini add pops of brightness, and a mix of creamy mozzarella and salty Parmesan gives it that perfect cheesy. Everything gets tossed together with a simple red wine vinaigrette. Then the magic of a well-chopped salad is that you get a little taste of everything in each bite — so good!

This Italian chopped salad is honestly fantastic on its own, but you could also pair it with your favorite pasta, grilled protein, or hunk of crusty bread. I’ve also included lots of options below for potential ingredient add-ins, so don’t hesitate to customize this recipe and make it your own. However you serve it, this salad is sure to be a winner!

(more…)

Ok, this really is just the loveliest salad! ♡

I made it the other day to serve for dinner with cacio e pepe and everyone around the table absolutely adored it. So I’ve now added it to our Thanksgiving lineup and will probably bring it along to a few Christmas parties too since it’s so festive and seasonal and easy breezy — everything I love in a green salad this time of year!

I pulled out my mandoline (along with this safety glove, which you should definitely own too) so that I could shave the apple, fennel and Parmesan paper-thin, which gives this salad the loveliest airy, delicate texture. Then I added in a handful of candied pecans for crunch and fresh basil for a burst of aromatics, and tossed everything with a lemony shallot vinaigrette. It ends up having the most refreshing balance of sweet and savory flavors. And as a bonus, the ingredients all hold up well in the fridge, in case you’d like to prep most of the salad beforehand (see tips below).

Feel free to add in a protein (chicken, bacon, shrimp, etc) or swap in another kind of fruit or cheese or nuts that you might love best here. The recipe itself is easy to customize with whatever you may have on hand. I just recommend adding it to your list soon because it’s perfect for this time of year! Enjoy!

(more…)