Isn’t it a wonderful feeling to wake up in the morning, pack up a picnic basket, find a park with a beautiful shady tree where you can enjoy a refreshing summer meal with family and friends. The recipes are ideal for such a day.

1.Spicy Sweet Potato Salad

It’s hard not to like a good summer picnic. Who doesn’t love a day spent lounging in the sunshine, laughing with friends, and enjoying summer classics like watermelon, lemonade and of course, potato salad? This particular potato salad is the perfect picnic treat. What it lacks in tradition, it makes up in beautiful colors and bold flavor. The sweet potatoes are spiced with cayenne pepper, yet the heat is balanced out by the sweetness of the corn and the brightness of the simple lime dressing. Plus, the dish is just light enough to leave room for the other goodies in your picnic basket.

2. Pistachio Pesto Quinoa

This yummy salad dish can be eaten hot or cold, by itself, or on a bed of spinach or mixed greens. The pesto is vegan and raw, flavored from fresh basil, olive oil, lemon juice, and pistachios instead of pine nuts. The cherry tomatoes, artichokes, and salty kalamata olives all lend themselves to this mediterranean-themed dish. The quinoa adds a protein punch that regular pasta lacks. For more quinoa recipes, visit here.

3. Fregula with Butternut Squash and Sage

Here is a recipe for our favorite way to enjoy fregula. Made with butternut squash and sage, this soul-satisfying dish also features saffron, another popular Sardinian ingredient, although the saffron can be omitted if you don’t have any on hand. Green baby peas add complementary color and a burst of sweet flavor.

4.Quinoa with Veggies, Cashews and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Need we say more?

5. Moroccan Potato Salad with Corn and Kale

Grilling season is here! Everybody loves potato salads, but sometimes it’s fun to rock tradition. With that in mind, give this Moroccan Potato Salad with Corn and Kale a try! Be sure to add any other vegetables that you can’t resist at the farm market, such as those gorgeous radishes that are now in season. This sensational (and so easy!) potato salad is the perfect side for burgers or not dogs, grilled egpplant or tofu, tempeh, or seitan steaks, and so much more. The harissa in this is what really makes it special. Harissa is a spicy red pepper paste from North Africa.