You can take that extra chicken or steak from last night's grilling and make it the star of tonight's meal. For a change of pace, try leaving out the lettuce entirely. Create your salad from any of summer's rich bounty of fruits and vegetables. Or rely on some of the sweet, juicy fruits to grace your dressing and provide the perfect finish to your salad. And speaking of dressings, try adding some fresh herbs to your salad or toss them in when mixing your own salad dressings.
Herbs blend well with a lot of summer fruits and vegetables, creating unique flavors.
Or you can opt for a pasta or bean salad, which requires a little more work than just the tearing of the greens, but is more than worth it. Most pasta and bean salads are designed to be served either warm or cold, making them great as main dishes or perfect complements on picnics or at barbecues. Above all, don't be afraid to experiment. Just adding a few of your favorites can turn a boring salad into something special. Add some crusty French bread, and maybe a soup, and a summer salad can become a cool, tasty meal.