RECIPE: Summer's Almost Here Salad

Don't these colors just remind you of summer days? This is the kind of salad that Tiny or Callie would have made for the characters introduced in the "Peace, Love, and...a Spa?" chapter of The Summer Breeze! Kirsten and her vegan friends would have loved it!

It literally comes together in under 20 minutes, and is perfect as a side dish or as a main course for lunch. The vegetarians and vegans in your life will thank you!

• Cook Trader Joe's Harvest Grains Blend according to directions and let cool. I use Olive Oil instead of butter, but hey - you do you!
  

• Mix diced cucumbers, bell peppers, and shallots in a large bowl
  

• Toss in the cooked and cooled grains
  

• Season with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning mix, and a healthy drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  

• Optional (but delicious!), add crumbled Feta