Summer is officially here, even if the weather forecast doesn’t quite agree.
I always gravitate to salads during the warmer months – they’re quick and easy to throw together, make great leftovers and don’t require me to stand over a hot stove.
However, too many people have the wrong idea about salads. In countless households they’ve been regulated to a token side dish, a few cherry tomatoes tossed with some sad-looking lettuce leaves. No more!
These salad recipes are vibrant, filling and bursting with nutrition. If you didn’t think it was possible to crave such a healthy meal, prepare to have your mind blown.
I discovered something delicious on my recent trip to America.
Tajin is a completely addictive blend of chilli and lime seasoning that adds a slight kick and a hint of sourness to any dish. I’ve been looking for ways to incorporate it into new recipes, and this Mexican Fruit Salad with watermelon, mango and cucumber dusted with Tajin is the perfect blend of sweet, savoury and spicy. I can’t wait to make it this summer!
After spending three months in America I must have adapted to their tastes, because this Dill Pickle Pasta Salad looks like my idea of heaven right now.
I’ll be whipping up a batch of my homemade pickled red onions and digging out my favourite Japanese mayonnaise to make this creamy, briny pasta salad – it makes the perfect BBQ side dish or even a stand-alone meal on a hot summer day.
I’m always looking for new ways to get in all my greens, and this Green Goddess Salad makes it easy.
The key is to chop all the ingredients into tiny pieces, as this makes each bite more crunchy and satisfying. And the sauce. Honestly, there’s a reason this salad went viral.
How amazing does this Hawaiian Chicken Salad look?
I love incorporating pineapple into savoury dishes, particularly during the warmer months. This would be a great way to use up leftover chicken and fresh lettuce from the garden or farmer’s market, resulting in a balanced, filling and flavourful meal.
I’ve seen this Jennifer Aniston Salad going viral all over the internet, and it’s easy to see why.
If you’ve ever seen Friends, you’ll know how amazing Jennifer Aniston looks in every episode. This salad is apparently the secret to her perfect body, as she claims to have eaten it every day on set for years. If it’s good enough for Rachel Green, it’s good enough for me!
Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad
If you’re craving something refreshing and crunchy on a hot day, this Watermelon, Cucumber and Feta Salad will tick all your boxes.
This would be perfect to pack as a side dish for a picnic or whip up for a summer BBQ – the combination of sweet watermelon and salty feta will have everyone asking for seconds.
French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad
Anything French automatically sounds more sophisticated, and this French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad makes me feel like I’m dining outside at a little restaurant on the streets of Paris.
With the hard-boiled eggs adding a serve of healthy protein and the baby potatoes making up the carbs, this simple salad is perfect as a side dish or a main meal. Très bon!
Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing
This Thai Crunch Salad with Peanut Dressing is so good, you won’t believe how healthy it is.
Adding crunchy ramen noodles to a salad is a stroke of genius, and the crunch is intensified with fresh red cabbage, peppers, carrots and cucumber. Plus, once you’ve tried the addictive peanut dressing, you’ll never order Thai takeout again.
I’m admittedly not the biggest fan of summer, but these salad recipes make the hot weather bearable. Now, who wants to invite me to a BBQ?
From The Pumpkin Patch 
Leave a comment