Summer brings high temperatures and sunny days, which often leave us seeking fresh and healthy ways to nourish ourselves. Salads are an excellent choice for these hot days: they are light, nutritious, and refreshing. Below, We share with you four salad ideas perfect for enjoying during the summer and staying cool.
Taco Salad; with Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice

For the taco meat:
- 1/2 lbs lean ground beef or bison
 - 2 Tbsps homemade taco seasoning mix
 
For the cauliflower rice:
- 1 lb cauliflower rice
 - 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
 - 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro leaves
 
For the toppings:
- 4 heaping cups of Romaine lettuce
 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
 - 1/2 cup olives, sliced
 - 1/2 cup freshly shredded cheese
 - dollop of Greek yogurt, if desired
 
Iogurth dressing:
- juice & zest from a large lime
 - 1 Tbsp white wine vinegar
 - 1 Tbsp raw honey
 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
 
Greek inspiration: Kalamata olives and Iceberg lettuce

For the salad:
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce
 - 4 small garden-fresh cucumbers
 - 1 lb cherry or grape tomatoes
 - 1 medium red onion,
 - 1 yellow bell pepper
 - 1 cup kalamata olives
 - 1/2 cup crumbled or cubed feta cheese
 
Dressing:
- 1 Tbsp everything bagel seasoning or hemp seeds
 - 1 Tbsp dried oregano
 - 3 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
 - 2 Tbsps wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
 - sea salt and pepper, to taste
 
Mediterranean aroma: quinoa, avocado and nuts

For the salad:
- 1-1/2 cups quinoa
 - 3 cups water or broth
 - 15 ozs jar chickpeas
 - 1 large English cucumber
 - 1 large bunch of fresh parsley
 - 1 large bunch of fresh mint leaves
 - 1 medium red onion
 - 2 or 3 leftover grilled chicken
 - ½ cup pistachios
 
- 1 large lemon, juice, and zest
 - 2 Tbsps apple cider vinegar
 - 3 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil
 - Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste
 - Crumbled feta cheese, optional
 
Sweet and spicy: fresh cucumber salad

- 2 large English cucumbers, finely diced
 - 1 medium red onion, finely diced
 - 2 large Granny Smith apples, finely diced
 - 2 fresh limes, juiced
 - 1 bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
 - 1-2 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped
 - 1 Tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
 - Sea salt and ground pepper, to taste
 
All the recipes are creations by Rachel Maser, Clean Food Crush