The sun is out at last and this week’s post has been written by Jen Price who blogs at Jen’s Food.  Jen is a scientist by day and a food obsessed blogger at all other times. She loves gin, cake, cheese, bacon, chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and tea. Most likely to be found in the kitchen creating new recipes or scribbling ideas in a notebook.

Over to Jen…

Summer is the time for salads. They make an excellent accompaniment to barbecues and any al fresco dining and also can also be a very satisfying meal in their own right. The lighter evenings are perfect for sitting outside after work with a glass of wine and a tasty salad. I’ve rounded up some of my favourite summer salads here from the blogosphere.

• The Petite Cook kicks us off with a Thai chicken power salad; simple, healthy and packed full of delicious Thai flavours.
• If you grow your own tomatoes then try Family Friends Food’s garden tomato salad with olives, basil and sumac. It sounds like summer heaven on a plate.
• For a deliciously super simple side salad that would be excellent with grilled meats or seafood try Recipes From A Pantry’s sesame spinach salad.
• Kachumber salad from Simply Food is a spicy Gujurati salad of cabbage and tomato prepared with just a handful of ingredients, excellent as a side dish.
• My Fussy Eater has a colourful, fresh and vibrant carrot, courgette and avocado salad which is packed with some of my favourite ingredients.
• Grilled lemon chicken with pine nuts and sundried tomato salad from A Mummy Too is perfect for a relaxed meal this summer and the best thing is you can cook the chicken on a barbecue if you like.
• Tomatoes are the star of How To Cook Good Food’s tomato salad with a Greek dressing. The dressing is made with feta cheese and sounds incredible.
• Fruit is a great addition to salads this time of year and Fuss Free Flavours’ kale, chard, watermelon & avocado salad pairs healthy leafy greens with refreshing juicy watermelon for a fabulous flavour contrast.
• With its perfect balance of sweet red plums, creamy mozzarella and crunchy pine nuts, this plum, serrano ham and mozzarella salad from Cook Sister is just the thing for a summery lunch party.
• The Botanical Kitchen’s roasted rhubarb, watercress and feta salad is a brilliant pairing of salty cheese, peppery leaves and sweet fruit.

You can find out more about Jen at Jen’s Food and over on Twitter.