Hot weather makes cold dishes essential. What better way to cool off than with a healthy, nutrient packed salad. Let's rethink salads in this edition of Tasty Tips and find creative ways to make salads an interesting part of your week. 

• Bulk up your salad.

Salads don't have to only include lettuce and salad dressing. Use the chart below to add protein, veggies and more to make your salad a filling meal.

Try out these salad combinations:

Spinach, Carrots, Avocado, Turkey and Oil & Vinegar

Romaine, Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumber, Low-Fat Cheese, Whole Wheat Croutons and a Low-Fat Dressing of Your Choice

Spring Mix, Apples, Dried Fruit, Nuts and Fresh-Squeezed Citrus

What's your perfect combination? Let us know in the comments below!

• Salad doesn't just mean leafy greens.

Check out these salads that are based in grains and other vegetables:

 

Sesame Asian Noodle Chicken Salad

• Join the #MeatlessMonday Movement and make a goal to try a meat-free salad recipe every week.

Try one of these salad recipes or a salad recipe of your own, take a picture and tweet it to us @UCCalFreshFC with the hashtags:  #UCCE #UCANR and the name of the recipe!