Summer is nearly here! and we all love salads. You can get so creative with different meats, salad dressings and added extras! Summer is the perfect time to really enjoy a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available and really get creative. I love eating salad and they are so quick and easy to make! They are an amazing way to enjoy everything of the season and to get creative and exiting with your meals. Summer salads offer a different and healthy way to enjoy the different flavours of the summer season. From simple combinations to creative new style recipes, there's something to please everyone and every taste. Summer salads are also a great way to bring a bit of happiness to your table particularly if you having barbeques or friends over. Whether you prefer a light and bright salad with fresh greens or a more filling one with cooked vegetables, grains, and proteins, there are so many delicious options to choose from and this is why I love salads so much. Plus, they are so simple to make and can be enjoyed as a meal or side dish. So it time to get adventurous in the kitchen and enjoy all the different flavours of summertime in a healthy and delicious way starting now. So ok. Lets talk salad recipes and I have my top favourites for you to start trying today;
1.Sweet Potato-Quinoa Salad
When it comes to healthy and tasty salads, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad is a great option. This salad is perfect for vegetarians and vegans alike as it is packed with flavour and nutrition. The sweet potato and quinoa provide a great source of complex carbohydrates, which help to keep your energy levels up and your belly full. The addition of crunchy vegetables such as red peppers and cucumber give the salad a delicious texture. The combination of sweet potatoes and quinoa is also a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. The addition of a creative dressing such as a balsamic vinaigrette or honey mustard dressing adds a delicious kick to the salad. To make this salad even more nutritious, you can also add some feta cheese or nuts. This salad is easy to make and can be made ahead of time and enjoyed for lunch or dinner. It is also a great way to incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet. So if you are looking for a tasty and healthy salad that is easy to make, look no further than Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad.
Ingredients
1 1/4 pounds sweet potatoes; cleaned and scrubbed and chopped into squares
1 large red onion cut finely
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons ground chili powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa from 1/2 cup dry
Zest and juice of 2 limes or lemons
2 teaspoons pure maple syrup or substitute honey or light agave nectar
1 clove garlic mince
1 large bell pepper
Mustard Powder
tomatoes
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the diced sweet potatoes and red onion on a large baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle with the chili powder, smoked paprika, and sea salt all over. Mix with your hand making sure its well coated. Bake until the potatoes are cooked firm but not too over cooked, about 25 minutes, turning regularly. Remove from the oven and set aside.
While the potatoes are cooking, cook the quinoa. In a small bowl or large measuring cup, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, lime juice and zest, maple syrup, and garlic and mustard power and shake together for the vinigrette.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, bell pepper, tomato, and roasted sweet potatoes and onions. Pour the dressing over the top, then toss to combine. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
2.Egg and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and cubed
½ cup minced red onion
cherry tomato
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
â…“ cup mayonnaise
salt and pepper to taste
Method
Start by hard boiling your eggs and then slicing them into small pieces. Then slice the avocados and the cherry tomatoes into smaller pieces. Chop the red onion into small pieces as well. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, avocados, tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard powder, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and mix everything together. Serve the salad in individual bowls and enjoy! This Egg and Avocado Salad is a great way to get in some extra protein and nutritious fats. It will fill you up and keep you satisfied all day long.
3.Chickpea and Feta Cheese Salad
Ingredients
2 x 300g cans chickpeas, drained, rinsed
2 x 250g punnets cherry tomatoes halved
1 small red onion, halved, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
100g feta, crumbled
50g pitted black olives
Vinaigrette
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tspn Honey
salt
pepper
Method
Feta and Chickpea Salad is a light salad that is perfect for lunch or dinner. The combination of feta cheese and chickpeas creates a delicious and nutritious meal that is sure to please everyone in the family. To make this salad, start by combining two cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed, with a cup of diced feta cheese. Add a cup of cherry tomatoes, halved, and a half cup of sliced red onion. add 50g of pitted black olives. Toss everything together and season with salt and pepper. Then, make a simple dressing by whisking together two tablespoons of olive oil, two tablespoons of lemon juice, one teaspoon of honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and garnish with chopped fresh parsley and mint. Serve immediately and enjoy a delicious and healthy meal.
4. Egg, Avocado and Salmon Caeser Salad
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 Little Gem lettuces
1 tbsp parmesan cheese
1/2 Avocado
150g pack hot-smoked salmon flakes
50g ready-made croûton
3-4 tbsp Caesar dressing (or make own)
Method
This delicious Egg, Avocado and Salmon Caesar Salad Recipe is a great choice for a light and healthy lunch. It is a perfect combination of proteins, healthy fats, and greens, and it is easy to make. Start getting ready the caeser dressing (shop bought or your own). Then, combine the romaine lettuce, boiled egg, croutons, and Parmesan cheese together in a large bowl. To assemble the salad, add the dressing to the lettuce and toss to coat. Top with sliced avocado, salmon, and additional Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve the salad immediately and enjoy! This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of protein, healthy fats, and greens. It is sure to be a hit with the whole family!
5.Chicken and Pomegrante salad
Ingredients
Chicken breasts boneless, skinless, thin
2 tablespoons Olive oil divided use
Salt and pepper to taste
lemon juice
cucumber Sliced
sliced red onion
4 cups Mixed greens/Spinach leaves
½ cup Pomegranate arils seeds
2 tablespoons Feta cheese crumbled
1 Small apple thinly sliced
2 tablespoons Walnuts toasted
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
Method
This Chicken and Pomegranate Salad is a delicious and healthy salad recipe that is full of flavour and texture. The combination of crunchy lettuce, juicy pomegranate arils, and tender chicken makes for a delightful and refreshing salad that will brighten up any meal. Lets find out how to make this salad. To make this salad, start by adding a layer of chopped lettuce/ Spinach to a large bowl. Top it with cooked, cubed chicken and a generous sprinkling of pomegranate arils. For extra crunch, add some diced cucumber, red onion slices, feta cheese walnuts and cubed apple. Finally, season the salad with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar salt, and pepper. Serve the salad immediately or chill it for a few hours for the flavours to meld together. This Chicken and Pomegranate Salad is sure to be a hit at any gathering or summer bbq!
Sum it up!
Why not try my top 5 summer salads that are all bursting with flavour to get you excited for Summer. Combine these low fat recipes to get some variation into your diet.