Let's Talk About Salad

So i've been trying to create the perfect salad recipe for you all lately but then it got me thinking that salads are so diverse, why not just dedicate a whole blog post to them?

As salads are packed with multiple ingredients, it would be extremely tricky to create a recipe which everyone liked. In this blog post I want to build everyones confidence, so that you can throw all your favourite ingredients into a bowl to muster up your ideal meal (which is healthy too). I will be sharing a few of my go to ingredients in the hope to give you some inspiration.

Leaves

First lets talk about leaves. I am a classic baby leaf spinach and rocket lover because I prefer to get the texture from the other added ingredients. However, if crunch is totally your thing then grab that iceberg lettuce! Fancy something in between? Rub (give it a proper massage) some olive oil, salt and pepper into kale and this makes a beautiful textured base for your salad.

Carbs

Next we have the bulk of the salad - carbs. Don't forget its all about choosing the healthy alternatives. Go for brown rice, quinoa, wholewheat pasta etc. This doesn't mean you HAVE to add carbs. In my prawn salad (below) there are no traditional carbs added but the roasted veggies do add a little carbohydrate to the meal for a lighter option. Also, my 'bumble bee' pasta (right/above) might not be wholewheat but I've got to make my pictures pretty for you - am I right?

Veggies

My salads always have roasted vegetables in them. I like to use peppers, courgettes, mushrooms and red onions. Instead of adding grains, you could use roasted sweet potato or butternut squash to make a more filling meal. Roast your veggies in some olive oil and spices.

Healthy Fats

To make a salad more filling, it's a great idea to add avocado, egg or oil (in the dressing). These are all great alternative healthy fat options which keep your tummy feeling satisfied.

Protein

Add chicken, prawns, salmon or tofu to bulk out the rest of the salad. I like to make sure I marinate my protein of choice so the salad has plenty of flavour. For salmon I tend to go for oriental flavours such as sesame, soy sauce or sweet chilli, whilst paprika is a great option for chicken.

Dressing

Finalise your perfect salad with a tasty dressing. Go simple with a balsamic and olive oil dressing or experiment a bit. For example, my tahini dressing is one of my absolute favourites (click here to find it!). Again, this is a great area to add in those healthy fats!

#review