Beat the heat of the season with a light, refreshing, summer salad!  It’s finally time for some really fresh produce. Experiment with seasonal fruits and vegetables from your local farmer’s market.  Next time you go to a neighborhood barbeque use these tips and bring a salad that will leave your friends wanting more than just hot dogs and hamburgers.

The Green Base: Romaine is a great seasonal staple but you can get creative with endive, red and green leaf lettuce or even butter lettuce to add a sweet, crisp flavor. Add some mint leaves or cilantro for added flavor and to thin your herb garden!

Something Sweet: Summer is the time for great fruits. As a kid I always enjoyed going to a patch and picking my own berries. Strawberries, peaches, nectarines and apricots add color and zing to a salad.

Something Crunchy: Nuts are great for adding crunch but in these hot summer months, raw snap peas and sprouts or even cucumber can add a refreshing pop of texture as well.

Fresh Veggies: There are so many veggies at the market right now: a rainbow of fresh tomatoes, peppers, carrots, cucumbers and more.  Make ribbons out of summer squash to add nutrients and an unexpected twist to your offering.

Pack on the Protein: Summer is the season for grilling, so add some grilled chicken, pork, beef or even fish.  Salmon, squid and shrimp are great salad toppers as well as grilled fruit!

Katie Cavuto Boyle, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian, personal chef and owner of HealthyBites, LLC. See Katie's full bio »