Easy Recipes for National Salad Month

Did you know May is National Salad Month? Thank goodness salads have come a long way since the iceberg lettuce and ranch dressing of my childhood. There's no shortage of creative salad ingredients and combinations to try, for every different taste and diet.

I'm sharing three of my favorite salad recipes that are easy to make and oh so delicious.

Turn Your Salad into a Sandwich

Sometimes, a big bowl of greens just doesn't appeal to me. My trick is to turn my salad into a sandwich. It still gives you plenty of healthy ingredients, but gives you the option of bread, which is easier to eat on the run.

There's no reason you can't take your favorite salad ingredients and make a yummy veggie sandwich.

One favorite of mine is green apples (or pears), with cucumbers, sprouts and pumpkin seeds. Add some arugula or kale and you've got a salad-turned-sandwich fit for a king.

Salad on a Stick - Caprese Salad Skewers

Another favorite salad of mine, especially this time of year, is a caprese with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. There's been an abundance of cherry tomatoes in my local grocery store and I love to create these fun caprese skewers for an easy salad on a stick.

If basil isn't readily available or cost prohibitive, I use baby spinach and it's just as good. I also like to include black or green olives if I have them on hand.

These are the easiest salads to make and always get plenty of oohs and aahs when served at any gathering.

Salad to Eat with Your Hands - Endive Salad Cups

Hosting a baby shower or other fancy-ish party? Serving lots of little finger foods may be what you're going for. Salad isn't so much a finger food, but it can be depending on what you serve. 

Belgian endive (pronounced on-deev) is great for this. I also use hearts of romaine in a pinch when endive isn't available. 

Each little lettuce cup can be filled with whatever you like. Try some tasty in season spring veggies like asparagus, peas and cucumbers. Maybe add a slice of avocado, sprouts, a tomato and half of a boiled egg. 

Drizzle the dressing in the lettuce before filling it so it doesn't spill out. Yum! 

These salad ideas might be a little nontraditional, but they are so delicious! I hope you enjoy.