I live in Nevada City,  a small town in the heart of the California Gold Country. It is very hot in the summer, perfect summer weather in fact!

You will need: Chicken breast, red or green apple, celery, walnuts, red onion, scallion, garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice and tarragon.

You will need: Cucumbers, red onion, feta cheese, red wine vinaigrette.

You will need: Broccoli, red bell pepper, scallions, fresh cilantro, Oriental dressing and orange.

You will need: Sirloin steak, Roma tomatoes, scallions, cucumber, fresh cilantro, sesame ginger dressing and lettuce.

This bread salad is popular in Europe.  Cube half a loaf of day-old, locally baked crusty bread and lightly toast it in the oven, like large croutons (in 1-inch squares).  Rough chop 3 ripe local toma

You will need:  Small, fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh basil, olive oil and lettuce.

You will need: Tofu, lemons, vegetable oil, garlic, cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.

You will need: Green beans, Roma tomatoes, garlic, fresh basil and olive oil.