Side

This is one of those ingredient combinations that, like the Little Black Dress, always seems to be in style, and it's no wonder: earthy, sweet beets, sharp and creamy blue cheese, and bitter greens simply go together beautifully. Skillet-Toasted Quinoa provides additional texture and protein. Like Chimichurri, this vinaigrette's flavors grow more robust if allowed to sit at room temperature for at least 1 day.

Nourish your body with this welcoming salad complete with a warming ginger dressing. Lentils provide a fabulous source of protein and the beet adds that splash of color I love so much.

You may not think of coleslaw as sexy, and you'd be right—most coleslaw is far from a turn-on. But this colorful, lighter version brings the sexy back with superfoods like carrots and red, yellow, or orange bell peppers. It's also a great way to enjoy your kale in the raw.

Puréed kale leaves give this lighter guacamole an extra dose of fiber and Vitamin A.

Australian potato salad. We didn't know it existed, but when you swap mayo for a tangy vinaigrette and add charred greens, magic happens.

Banish flashbacks of bland zucchini with this crunchy, cheesy, salty, citrusy salad.

To make this tomato-on bread revelation right this very minute, use a prepared flatbread like naan or pocketless pita.

Not all tomato recipes require the fruit to be ripe. In fact, you’ll want unripe green tomatoes for this one (rather than green-hued heirlooms, which tend to be too delicate to grill).

Don't obsess over getting these exact ingredients in this precise combination. Any nut you like will work here for crunch, and you're looking for a mix of bright herbs and enough cooked grains to make it substantial.

Ripe heirloom tomatoes and sharp cheddar cheese are a match made in heaven in this savory pie.

This is a high-summer throw together of a sauté to make when there are lots of snap beans at the market. Mix colors and types for the full effect.

Mix up your summer sides with this bright grain salad tossed in an Asian-inspired vinaigrette.

Slightly underripe plums? Add a touch more honey.