Book excerpt: Dig in to a seriously tasty salad--with Cooking Light Big Book of Salads! Farmers markets popping up all over the country are filled with a variety of beautiful fruits and vegetables. Grocery stores are starting to stock locally-grown produce. And ingredients from all over the world are more accessible than ever. And CSAs drop just-picked goodies right at your doorstep! Here's how to make the most of all of nature's delicious goodness: The Cooking Light Big Book of Salads includes over 150 recipes for incredibly tasty, interesting, and healthy salads that are perfect for weeknight meals, cookout sides, and mouthwatering starters. This flavorful, healthy fare hits all the notes everyone loves. The best toppings? Got 'em: Candied nuts, creamy goat cheese, sweet dried cranberries, spicy prosciutto, pungent Stilton and Gorgonzola, juicy pears, salty olives, and crunchy croutons. You will learn how to make the most of in-season produce, like peaches, arugula, strawberries, corn, tomatoes, winter squash, and more. Tips and techniques provide everything needed to make amazing salads. You will learn how to buy and store greens so they stay crisp, how to spot fruit and veggies at the peak of flavor, how to properly dress a salad, how to whisk homemade light dressings (we're not just talking about a wimpy squeeze of lemon), tips on making salads with pasta, beans, interesting grains-and more.