By: Natasha Archary
With the 2nd wave of COVID-19 infections hitting us, healthy is what we should be striving for. Salads usually get a bad rap for being soggy, bland and unsatisfying as a meal. But that’s about to change with these healthy yet filling salads that need a spot on your holiday table.
Changing the salad game
Try these balanced salads for an alternative to your lunch or dinner options:
Green Goddess pasta salad
Revamp your favourite pasta with this burst of Spring time flavour. For those watching their carb intake, breathe easy, you can substitute the starchy pasta with zucchini or butternut noodles.
Ingredients
Cooked pasta of your choice (gluten or keto friendly options per your preference)
Basil pesto (pre-bought because life is short)
A bunch of baby spinach
Cup of steamed asparagus or peas
¼ green pepper
Sunflower seeds
Grilled chicken breast sliced
Layer the pasta, chicken and veggies, season and top with sunflower seeds. Devour at room temperature. A light squeeze of lemon juice is all the dressing you need.
Salmon and couscous salad
This is a substantial meal, full of crisp goodness and strong flavours.
Ingredients
Salmon fillet, pan seared and lightly seasoned with black pepper and Himalayan salt
3 or 4 raddishes
Cooked couscous (submerge in hot water for a few minutes and run a fork through it)
Olives
Cherry tomatoes
Avocado
Rocket
Cucumber
Feta
The chopped veggies go into a big bowl with the cooked couscous. Season as you prefer, top with the salmon fillet and enjoy with a glass of your preferred wine.
Rib-eye steak and roasted red pepper salad
Succulent rib-eye steaks pack so much meaty flavour and you don’t want to over-power the beef so a balanced yet light salad is the aim.
Ingredients
Seared rib-eye seasoned with fresh black pepper and salt
Roast 2 red peppers in the oven, with olive oil and some salt
Steamed greenbeans
Butter lettuce
Avocado
Balsamic vinegar
Arugula or rocket
Parmesan shavings
Arrange the arugula on a plate as prettily as you can manage. The sliced medium rib-eye placed on top . Allow the roasted peppers to cool slightly before dotting all over the plate, followed by the baby lettuce, avocado and parmesan shavings. Drizzle liberally with balsamic vinegar.
Play around with your favourite ingredients and see what works for you. Salads are no longer just side dish, make a salad your main squeeze and #ReclaimSummer.