15 recipes for fresh and delicious summer salads

This Monday, July 11, 2011 photo shows potato salad studded with grilled corn and poblano peppers in Concord, N.H. For Marcela Valladolid, salads are not starters. They are big and substantial. For the AP's 20 Salads of Summer series, Valladolid offered this potato salad recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Grilled corn and poblano potato salad Come August, farmers market stands and grocery produce displays will be overflowing with fresh corn. Put those ears to good use with this grilled corn and poblano potato salad recipe from Food Network star Marcela Valladolid. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Farro and arugula salad Pack in your daily dose of ancient grains with this farro and arugala salad recipe from Associated Press food editor J.M. Hirsch. Don’t worry, it’s not too healthy. The recipe calls for six slices of bacon. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Nov. 16, 2015, photo, shows Thai cucumber salad in Concord, N.H. This simple salad features crunchy cucumbers enhanced with just a bit of citrus, soy sauce and a few other Thai ingredients. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Thai cucumber salad Have a craving for takeout? Satisfy your taste buds and your waistline with this healthy Thai cucumber salad, packed with citrus, soy sauce, jalapeno and cilantro. Some crushed peanuts add a crunch. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This July 29, 2013 photo shows prosciutto, cantaloupe, and orecchiette salad in Concord, N.H. A pasta salad should be easy. It should be a just-throw-the-ingredients-in-a-bowl kind of summer food that doesn't require too much messing around. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Prosciutto, cantaloupe and orecchiette salad It may sound like an odd pairing, but nothing goes together quite like prosciutto and cantaloupe. The only thing that could make this sweet-and-salty combo better? Pasta. Next time you’re in the mood for a light Italian classic, try this recipe for prosciutto, cantaloupe, and orecchiette salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This July 6, 2011 photo shows sugar snap pea salad with crispy prosciutto and mint in Concord, N.H. For the APs 20 Salads of Summer series, chef Anne Burrell offered a sugar snap pea salad that contrasts the sweet taste of the peas with salty prosciutto and fresh mint. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Sugar snap pea salad with crispy prosciutto and mint Need to pull together dinner in a snap? Try this recipe for sugar snap pea salad with crispy prosciutto and mint from celebrity chef Anne Burrell. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This Aug. 1, 2011 photo shows heirloom and cherry tomato salad in Concord, N.H. For the APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Alice Waters offered this recipe for a simple but stunning salad. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Heirloom and cherry tomato salad During the hot and humid dog days of summer, it’s best to keep in mind the good things that come around this time of year … like tomato season. Put your ripe and juicy tomatoes to good use with this heirloom and cherry tomato salad recipe from culinary legend Alice Waters. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This July 25, 2011 photo shows chef Vikas Khanna's recipe for tangy fruit salad in Concord, N.H. For APs 20 Salads of Summer series, Khanna offered this simple fruit salad that sports complex flavors. Dried mango powder, a tangy, pungent season, is key to this recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Tangy fruit salad Salads don’t need to be limited to vegetables. The next time you crave something sweet, try this recipe for tangy fruit salad from Vikas Khanna. But before you do, you might need a trip to the store for an extra ingredient: Dried mango powder is key to this recipe. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This June 6, 2011 photo shows tomato, corn and melon summer salad in Concord, N.H. For APs 20 Salads of Summer series, chef Nate Appleman offered this robustly flavored salad of tomatoes, raw corn and cantaloupe dressed with a jalapeno vinaigrette. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Tomato, corn and melon summer salad Nate Appleman’s summer salad recipe combines three seasonal favorites in one dish: tomatoes, corn and melon. It’s all tossed in a jalapeno vinaigrette. You can find the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This May 16, 2011 photo shows potato salad with smoked trout and watercress in Concord, N.H. For AP's 20 Salads of Summer series, chef Peter Evans selected a recipe for potato salad with smoked trout and watercress from his latest book, "My Grill: Outdoor Cooking Australian Style." (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Potato salad with smoked trout and watercress Australian chef and cookbook author Peter Evans is offering up his recipe for potato salad with smoked trout and watercress from his book, “My Grill: Outdoor Cooking Australian Style.” (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

This March 15, 2011 photo shows warm bean and bacon salad in Concord, N.H. Jacques Pepins salad recipe calls for small white navy beans, but you can substitute any similar variety. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Warm bean and bacon salad Hungry for something more than lettuce? No problem. For a heartier dish, try this stick-to-your-rips recipe for warm bean and bacon salad from renowned chef Jacques Pepin. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Chili-cucumber bread salad Get out your mandoline: Thinly sliced veggies are the key to this chili-cucumber bread salad. Toasted sourdough chunks add a welcome crunch. Find the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Blistered corn salad Slide those burgers and dogs over: it’s time to give corn some room on the grill. This recipe for blistered corn salad is perfect for your next summer cookout. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Spicy watermelon salad with feta and basil Spice up your salad repertoire with this recipe for spicy watermelon salad with feta and basil. Banana peppers and chili peppers give this dish its heat. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Shades of green salad As a famous frog once said, “It’s not easy being green.” But it sure is easy eating it. Especially with this shades of green salad, packed with green beans, asparagus, snow peas, zucchini and avocado. Find the recipe here. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead

Herbed wild rice salad with apricots and blueberries Next time you want to make a salad, ditch the greens, and take a walk on the wild side with this recipe for herbed wild rice salad with apricots and blueberries. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

AP Photo/Matthew Mead