Summer is firmly upon us; and while I love to entertain; I don’t love to cook in a hot kitchen cooking on a hot day…you get the idea!

Enter the Summer Salad.

I love the adventure of throwing seemingly ill-paired ingredients together; tossing with a light acid/oil zest and sprinkling a series of herbaceous scents to finish.  Think spinach; goat cheese and strawberries; pear and gorgonzola; marinated eggplant with legumes and kale.

I particularly love a good watermelon; basil, feta and balsamic salad: chilled extra-cold for those extra-steamy, hot summer nights!  Paired with some great company, a chilled bottle on an open patio…extraordinary!

I am always hunting for new ideas; new spice blends and global inspirations. Zaatar can be gorgeous, as can Dukkha.  Marrying a combination of acid, herbaceous, earthy and a hint of spice offers so many possibilities!

What’s your favourite Summer Salad? Do you have a family favourite, a party go-to, a decadent dish?  Please leave me your fave in the comments!

Happy Summer Salad-ing!