Wondering what to do with that hearty bread that's getting stale on the counter? One of the best options is to make this refreshing, summery, and brightly colorful panzanella salad! Homemade croutons will blow your mind.

Classic Panzanella is a rustic salad that was originally created by the farmers of the central Italian countryside who made it as a way to use up day-old bread and their abundance of fresh homegrown vegetables.

It comes together quickly and it's the perfect side dish to various grilled meats. It's also such a versatile salad with options to swap in other vegetables, use various cheeses, try it with a protein, or add beans.

This is a great base and guide to get you started from there you can adjust it to your heart's content!

Greek Chicken Bowl

I've shared Greek chicken bowls before but they called for marinated and grilled chicken. I wanted a simpler weeknight and winter friendly version that was just as delicious, so created this stovetop variation.

They are still brimming with flavor, abundant in fresh goodness, and it's all about those sauces (they include both tzatziki and hummus and it makes all the difference).

It's a one bowl meal you can feel great about serving as it includes a whole grain, a complete protein, healthy fats (olive oil and avocado), and a tons of vegetables. And of course we throw some cheese in there because feta adds so much flavor.

Also try the other variations I've shared below (you can swap out things like quinoa for rice, avocado for olives, and parsley for mint). It's a versatile Greek bowl that's sure to satisfy without leaving you feeling weighed down.

Nutritious Green Juice

This green juice recipe is super versatile and is a mindful way to use up produce that is about to spoil so it's not wasted.

You can even make a double batch so you have a juice for the next day without having to clean the juicer again (that's always the only drawback).

When making green juice I usually always like to include the celery but everything else can be switched up.

Pick a leafy green such as kale, spinach or romaine lettuce, then toss in a cucumber or broccoli stalks, add a tart flavor from lime or lemon (to help mask the intensity of the leafy green), give it a flavor boost with ginger or mint, and sweeten it with a sweet juicy apple or green grapes.

It's fun to try all the different varieties and helpful having the option of using up what you have on hand already.

Possible Variations

You can even add your own additions - things like green chard, collard greens, wheatgrass, parsley, grapefruit, or nutrition boosters such as green tea, spurlina, barely grass powder, or chlorella powder.

And try sweetening with other fruits such as pineapple, pear or a navel orange.

This is just a base recipe to get you started but the possibilities are endless!

Lentil Salad

This makes a great lunch or dinner side. It has an abundance of freshness along with a good heartiness to it, and it's easy to make.

You'll find it has a great blend of textures and flavors and it pairs beautifully with chicken or salmon.

You can use a variety of herbs based on what you have. I always like to include parsley then for the second herb addition opt for either cilantro, basil or mint - each will give a different flavor profile so it's nice to switch things up.

Serve it room temp or nice and chilled for a refreshing salad (just keep in the fridge within 2 hours of preparing).

Loaded Spicy Salmon Bowls

These salmon rice bowls are loaded with the works! It's an abundance of fresh ingredients all piled together in one bowl for maximum flavor.

You get a harmonious blend of various textures, an exciting combination of flavors that all highlight each other perfectly, and there's a visually pleasing variety of vibrant colors.

It's made up of nutritious ingredients and it's such a filling dish. I'm a white rice fan lately but you can easily swap white jasmine rice for brown rice (regular, short grain, or jasmine brown rice) or quinoa.

I've also listed other various substitutes to use in this dish based on what you have on hand (see ideas below).

This is one to add to the dinner rotation, it's incredibly delicious!

Easy California Roll Sushi Bowls

How could you go wrong with deconstructed sushi salad piled high in a bowl? It's destined to be a new go-to weeknight recipe for you!

You get a slightly sweet, slightly tangy, tender sushi rice, and atop is a blend of crab (or imitation crab meat), crisp fresh veggies including carrots, cucumber, and buttery avocado. Then there's also umami-rich nori, flavorful pickled ginger, a salty soy finish, creamy and spicy sriracha mayo, then buttery little sesame seeds to finish it off with more texture.

Talk about an explosion of flavor in every bite!

Plus these are so easy to make. Just cook the rice, chop everything up, and then serve it layered together in individual bowls. No meticulous cutting and rolling just slice it, dice it, dress it, and boom! Dinner (or lunch) is served.

Easy Orzo Pasta Salad

This is the perfect thing to make year-round. It's a nutritious, well rounded, veggie-packed pasta salad.

You can make as is or toss in some cooked chicken or shrimp (just make a little bit of extra dressing). And if you want to make it even healthier you can use whole wheat pasta in place of the standard semolina based orzo.

This is brimming with fresh Mediterranean flavor and it is so easy to throw together. It's mostly just a bit of chopping, cooking orzo pasta and whisking a quick dressing.

We love it for lunch but it's always so welcomed at dinner too, and it's delicious paired with salmon or grilled chicken. It may likely soon be one of your favorite recipes to make with orzo!

Mediterranean Couscous Salad

Another salad recipe to add to the rotation! This one is made with fine tender couscous, a rich olive oil dressing, and the perfect pairing of bright tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs.

It has a delicious Mediterranean flavor that pairs exceptionally well with seafood and chicken.

It's also very versatile and you can swap and add other ingredients like chick peas or pine nuts (see ideas in variations below).

Here you got lots of nutritious ingredients in this tasty salad that you'll feel great about eating! It makes a great lunch or delicious dinner side dish.

Easy Fresh Corn Salad

It's one of the ultimate summer side dishes! It pairs so well with grilled main dishes like chicken, steak or salmon and it's the perfect thing to bring along on a picnic.

This is simple and refreshing and brimming with nutritious goodness. A flavorful way to get your veggie intake.

You'll love the satisfying blend of textures and the overload of freshness.

If you plan on having any extra, you could just wait to toss the other half with dressing and serve it the following day. I dream about leftovers of this for lunch!

Looking for more corn salad recipes?

Also try my incredibly tasty Black Bean and Corn Salad and Mexican Street Corn Salad.

Healthy Chickpea Salad

A new year and a craving for some healthier food like this vegan Chickpea Salad!

You'll love this simple recipe with its vibrant flavors - which are made by using mostly fresh ingredients.

No cooking required here so it's perfect for when you need a fast side dish. You can have this ready in 10 minutes!

It's also very versatile too based on what you have on hand. And you can even include tuna or salmon to make it a heartier main dish.

I've listed some ideas below for other things you can include here.

It's a refreshing recipe that won't weigh you down and you can feel great about eating!