It’s been a busy summer, and we hope you had the opportunity to enjoy some time outside with family and friends getting active and trying new recipes during summer picnics and events. As the summer winds down, we are calling a challenge for everyone to share their favorite summer salad with us. With so many colorful fruits and vegetables in season this time of year that make for nutritious and delicious salad creations, we want to see what everyone’s been making. Whether you pick your fruits and vegetables straight from your backyard garden, a local farmers market, or your neighborhood store, we're asking you to share your favorite summer salad recipe and photo on Twitter and Instagram using #SummerSalad.

Here's one that we enjoy:

Summer Greens Salad

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

For the salad:

• 2 lbs of assorted garden greens, such as arugula, Frisee, endive, red oak, etc.
• 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds         
• ½ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1 cup toasted Brioche Croutons
• 6 sprigs chives, chopped 

For the vinaigrette:

• ½ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 shallot, finely minced
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup grapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• Salt and pepper to taste 

Preparation:

Add the red wine vinegar, shallots, lemon juice and honey in a small bowl. Slowly whisk olive oil and grapeseed oil into mixture until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Wash lettuce and spin dry. In a large bowl, place the lettuce, pumpkin seeds, blue cheese, brioche croutons and chives. Toss with a desired amount of dressing. Serve immediately.

Looking for inspiration and other salad ideas? Check out the Salads board on the MyPlate Pinterest page for other great recipes to try!