With the proliferation of bagged salad greens in your grocer’s produce section—containing a multitude of lettuce types, including fresh baby spinach, and organic varieties—creating an amazing salad has never been easier…or offered more creative possibilities.

Salads are no longer to be automatically relegated to the “side” section of your meal menu either. Entree salads featuring meats and other proteins have become more popular than ever, often serving as the focal point of the dinner.

With the arrival of spring, it’s time again to turn our attention to the leafy, healthy salad and its many forms and flavors. We’ll be showcasing many salads over the coming weeks as the weather warms up, and we all get a taste for things light and fresh.

This week’s feature is a Classic California Cobb Salad. We’ve stayed pretty true to the original recipe that dates back to the heyday of the Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, Calif. We’ve suggested a nice update: a twist of lemon (vinaigrette).

Our Asian Chicken Salad is a real favorite around the Kitchens of The Food Channel. Loaded with craveable peanut and chicken flavors, the colorful recipe also includes red bell peppers and fresh asparagus. You definitely should try this. It’s a unique flavor delight.

You should also try our savory and satisfying recipe for Grilled Chicken & Fresh Vegetable Salad that includes grilled chicken and grilled fresh vegetables. Plus we have a recipe for an outstanding homemade dressing that perfectly complements this robust salad. Try our Fresh Basil Vinaigrette.

And check out our step-by-step photo tours for both our Grilled Chicken & Fresh Vegetable Salad and our Fresh Basil Vinaigrette.

Of course, a basic, fresh green salad served with a stellar dressing remains a great choice for summer dining, and we’ve got some recipes to recommend for those. Try our Wedge Salad with Green Goddess Dressing. It’s a classic. Or how about a simple salad loaded with three superfoods? They’re all there in our Spinach Salad with Fresh Strawberries & Walnuts.

Come back often, as we’ll be adding new salad recipes each week through the spring and summer.