When it's hot outside, cool salads are perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinnertime! Make your favorite and enjoy a healthy and refreshing salad while you enjoy the sunshine.

Cantaloupe Salad

½ cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted
1 small chilled cantaloupe
Leaf lettuce
1½ cups seedless green grapes, divided

Combine the mayonnaise and orange juice concentrate, mixing well; set aside. Cut the cantaloupe into 4 sections, remove the seeds and peel. Place the cantaloupe sections on lettuce leaves and spoon ½ cup of grapes over each section. Drizzle each section with mayonnaise/orange juice mixture. Makes 4 servings.

Fruit Salad

½ cup sliced strawberries
¼ cup sliced bananas
1 container sour cream
½ cup pineapple chunks

In a small serving dish, layer half of strawberries and bananas. Lightly spread the fruit with a thin layer of sour cream. Top with half of the pineapple and another thin layer of sour cream. Repeat the procedure with any remaining fruit.

Honey Mustard Turkey Salad

2 cups chopped cooked turkey
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (4.5 ounces) jar whole Portobello mushrooms, drained
¼ cup sweet red peppers
¼ cup sliced green onions
½ cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
2 tablespoons honey
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
¾ teaspoon soy sauce
¾ teaspoon lemon juice
1 (2 ounce) package roasted cashews
Lettuce leaves
Chow mein noodles

Combine the turkey, bacon, mushrooms, pepper strips and green onions together and set aside. Next, combine mayonnaise or salad dressing, honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce and lemon juice; fold into the turkey mixture and chill. Just before serving, stir in the cashews. Serve on lettuce leaves and sprinkle with chow mein noodles. To save time on preparation, use leftover cooked turkey or sliced turkey from the deli. Delicious!

Curried Chicken Rice Salad

3 cups chopped chicken
1½ cups cooked rice
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup seedless green grapes, halved
½ cup chopped pecans, toasted
¼ cup sweet pickle relish
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon curry powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Lettuce leaves
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into spears

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Combine the mayonnaise with the next 3 ingredients and add the chicken mixture and stir well. Save time by using chicken from the deli and quick-cooking rice or buy cored and peeled fresh pineapple. Serve on lettuce leaves with strawberries and pineapple. So refreshing and good!

I suggest purchasing your ingredients from a local farmers market. When you buy your produce locally, the flavor is richer and you can usually purchase organics for less. When it’s summer time, light salads and fresh fruits can be served inside or out. These salads are healthy, easy to prepare, and delicious.