Pesto is one of my all time favorite sauces. Green pesto is typically my go-to, but have you ever had red pesto? Sun-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, basil, and pumpkin seeds make up this summertime sauce that is full of flavor and antioxidants. Perfect hot or cold and topped with zucchini, make this dish your next picnic pick. Not in the mood for pasta? Serve it over fish, chicken or vegetables - the options are yours.

We all know that summer and corn go hand in hand, but throw in pickled onions, feta, and avocado and you’ve got the perfect partnership of salty cheese, creamy avocado, and sweet slightly charred corn. This salad was inspired by Esquites, Mexican corn on the cob that is slathered with a creamy sauce, Cotija cheese, lime juice, and chili powder. For this recipe, the kernels are charred in a cast iron pan, tossed together with a zippy creamy sauce, and finished with feta cheese, avocado, pickled onions, and, for crunch, toasted pumpkin seeds. This corn salad is easy to throw together, can be made ahead of time, and I guarantee, will be enjoyed by all.

Summertime means easy breezy salads as mains loaded with lots of veggies. Traditionally, panzanella is a Tuscan bread salad which utilizes stale day old bread and overly ripe tomatoes. The juicy tomatoes and dressing revitalize the bread, giving it a second life and adding bulk to the salad. This iteration is a mix-up of a Tuscan bread salad and antipasto and is loaded with summery tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, olives, artichoke hearts, roasted and raw peppers for a nice contrast of textures, and creamy mozzarella. Make this salad in advance and tote it to the park, beach, or pool for full on picnic season success.

Whether you are entertaining for a crowd or your immediate crew, quick and easy grain salads should definitely be on the menu. They are great to have in the fridge for easy lunches, picnics, or pool side bites. The crunchy and salty flavor profile of a Greek salad is typically a crowd pleaser. To add some nutritional milage to this crunch fest, incorporate protein from fiber-filled chickpeas, and hearty whole grain farro. If you opt to make this in advance and enjoy at a later point in time, combine all the ingredients except the romaine. When you are ready to eat, top your grain mixture with chopped romaine and toss with your dressing. For those of you who are gluten-free, whole grain sorghum is a good alternative to farro.