1. Kale and Mint Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing
Raw kale haters are sad people who don’t understand one simple thing: You gotta chop it up small and dress it real good.
INGREDIENTS
1 bunch lacinato kale
1 cup fresh mint
1 cup walnuts
3 tablespoons peanut butter
3 tablespoons warm water
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh garlic
2 teaspoons fresh ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
Toss the chopped kale, chopped mint, and the walnuts together. Put the rest of the ingredients into a blender and whirl away at high speed until everything is smooth. Toss the dressing with the salad. Devour.
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2. Shades of Green Chopped Salad
Lettuce, schmettuce. This salad gets its green from crisp cucumber, tart Granny Smith apple, crunchy pistachios, and a zippy crème fraîche, and chive dressing instead. Get the full recipe at Food52.
3. Gazpacho Panzanella
When you’re too lazy to get out your blender to make gazpacho, direct your tomatoes to this salad instead. Get the recipe at Food52.
4. Radish Couscous
Lovely, fresh, delicious, and quick. What more do you want? Get the full recipe at Food52.
5. Creamy Cucumber “Side”
Once you’ve sliced the vegetables, all of the work is done.
Get the full recipe at Food52.
6. Summer Slaw
If you take the mayonnaise out of the dressing, you’ll take away the joy. Instead, if you want to lighten up your slaw, replace sturdy red or green cabbage with featherweight Napa cabbage. Get the full recipe at Food52.
8. Plum Avocado Summer Salad
The marriage of tart-sweet plum and buttery avocado was always meant to be. Get the full recipe at Food52.
9. Crunchy Celery, Radish, and Turnip Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Sturdy enough for a picnic; classy enough for the fanciest party. Get the full recipe at Food52.
10. Dilled Sweet Corn Salad with Buttermilk Dressing
Herbs, garlic, and feta make a great, punchy counterpoint to the sweet summer vegetables. Get the full recipe at Food52.
11. Spicy Cucumber Salad
Cucumbers are more than just raw pickles. This salad gives the the star treatment they deserve. Get the full recipe at Food52.
12. Purslane Salad
If you’ve never tried purslane (a citrusy-tasting green with almost succulent-like leaves), this is a good induction to the fan club. Get the full recipe at Food52.
13. Zucchini Carpaccio with Avocado and Pistachios
Raw zucchini plays very nice if you shave it into thin ribbons and dress it with a lemony marinade. Get the full recipe at Food52.
14. Brown Butter Tomatoes
As you spoon the hot butter over the tomatoes, listen: They sizzle! With joy! Get the recipe at Food52.
15. Shaved Asparagus and Mint Salad
The delicate, almost woody flavor of fresh asparagus sometimes gets lost in cooking — this salad shows off its natural virtues. Get the recipe at Food52.
Everything Cool 