Satisfying Salads for all weather
Hello, Melissa here!
If like me, you’re in the UK, it usually means your salad needs to fit all weather and these ones really do. So here are 7 Summer salads for rain or shine; a delicious mix of hearty and wholesome with fresh and zesty. Lots of great ones to share as well as ones to make double and have the next day or take to a picnic. As ever, feel free to add in any ingredients you’ve got that need using up to minimise your kitchen waste and make your food go further.
1. Lentil Salad with Sumac Dressing
This lentil salad with a delicious sumac dressing is a winner with everyone! If you haven’t been swayed with lentils just yet, maybe you will after this. A great hearty salad for a sunny weekend and great to take on a picnic too.
Get the recipe.
2. The Big Chickpea Chopped Salad
This was pretty much born out of me having an *ingredients check in* and trying to use up everything hiding in my fridge and cupboards before they turned sad. So feel free to use as much or as little as you want here and throw in whatever else you’ve got that could work. This is great for a big lunch or mid-week dinner. If you want to make in advance for the next day, shake the dressing ingredients up in a jar and take it with you so you can dress your salad when you’re ready, to stop it getting soggy.
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3. Sesame Ginger Noodles
These Sesame, Ginger & Lime Noodles hit the spot for a quick & easy lunch or dinner. If you make for dinner, the leftovers are wonderful for tomorrow’s lunch too! I made it with what I had at home this time; asparagus, frozen peas, limp cavolo nero & celery but it’s lovely with all veg, so use what you’ve got. Sometimes I keep the greens raw when they’re super fresh & when the sun’s out.
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4. Sunday Salad Brunch Bowl
The perfect lazy, throw together meal, I made this salad bowl a few Sundays in a row and so started calling it the Sunday Brunch Bowl although it would be delicious any time of day. If you’re working from home & need inspiration to throw things together then let this be that! Use any hummus (I had a leftover red pepper one I’d made a few days previously but this Green Dip would be delish too) and any herbs, salad you like.
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5. Split Pea & Quinoa Tabbouleh
This Tabbouleh style salad with split peas & quinoa is a spin on the traditional glorious tabbouleh & a great way to use any leftover cooked lentils or quinoa as well as herbs & salad. Use whatever herbs & salad you’ve got.
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6. Burrata, Mint & two way Tomatoes
Burrata is certainly a luxury ingredient so for a very special occasion (in this case, a reunion with my friends over lockdown with their homegrown tomatoes). I like to serve this salad with the tomatoes *two ways*; half roasted and half fresh and raw. Instead of burrata you could use buffalo mozzarella, thick full fat plain yoghurt or feta or a British goat’s cheese or ricotta.
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7. Spiced Halloumi & Chickpeas with Black Quinoa
A one-pan dish packed with crunch, freshness and spice. The combo of spiced salty-sweet fried halloumi and chickpeas is unbeatable- you’ll be wanting to use this pairing with everything. If you can’t find black quinoa, use whatever you can find or any grain would be lovely- rice/buckwheat etc.
Get the recipe in Eat Happy.
For more scrumptious salads, head to my website www.melissahemsley.com or follow me on instagram for daily recipes @melissa.hemsley
