Springtime brings longer, warmer days calling for outdoor activities. With fresh greens available at farmers’ markets and in gardens, now’s the perfect time to add cool salads to your mealtime rotation.

Salads are delicious, refreshing and boost your intake of health-promoting vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Adding a protein choice transforms a side dish into a complete meal. Toss with homemade dressing to bolster the flavor and heartiness of your creation.

This simple salad recipe features seasonal strawberries and a light fig vinaigrette dressing, complementing the dimension of flavors.

Ham, Strawberry and Goat Cheese Salad with Fig Vinaigrette

°¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

°3 tablespoons cider vinegar

°3 tablespoons fig preserves

°½ teaspoon salt

°¼ teaspoon pepper

°10 ounces (10 cups) spring greens, torn or cut into bite-sized pieces

°1 pint strawberries, sliced

°½ cup pecans, chopped coarse and toasted

°6 ounces ham, cut into bite-size pieces

1. Whisk oil, vinegar, preserves, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl.
2. Toss spring greens and berries into the vinaigrette. Divide salad evenly among 4 dinner plates. Top each salad with ham, goat cheese and pecans. Serve with hearty bread or crackers.

This hearty pasta salad may be prepared ahead of time for activity-filled evenings.

Pasta, White Bean and Spinach Salad

°12 ounces noodles of choice (whole grain has more health benefits)

°½ cup sliced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, plus 3 tablespoons oil

°3 tablespoons mayonnaise

°3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

°½ teaspoon pepper

°1 teaspoon salt

°¼ cup chopped olives of choice

°½ cup artichoke hearts, cut into bite-sized pieces

°1 (15-ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed

°4 ounces (4 cups) baby spinach, chopped coarse

°3 ounces sliced pepperoni (turkey pepperoni is lighter), cut into ¼-inch strips

°½ cup thinly sliced red or green onion

1. Bring salted water to boil in large pot. Add pasta and cook, stirring often, until pasta is tender throughout. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water until chilled. Drain well.