Salads make a great meal at any time of the day. It can be light, refreshing and full of nutrients. A salad that tastes delish has seasonal ingredients and a moreish dressing. If you think salads cannot be tasty, think again. These easy summer salad recipes with hearty dressings are guaranteed to change your mind:
Classic Caesar Salad:
Start with chopping romaine lettuce leaves. To make the dressing blitz Greek yogurt, pepper, capers, lemon juice, zest, salt, olive oil, nutritional yeast, and Dijon mustard. Add some crispy croutons and drizzle over the dressing. Serve it cold.
Glass Noodles & Vegetable Salad:
Thinly slice some kale, red cabbage, carrot, tri-color bell peppers, cilantro, mint leaves, and spring onions. Cook some glass noodles by blanching it in hot water. To make the peanut dressing, mix smooth peanut butter, lime juice, chopped lemongrass, maple syrup, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, minced ginger, and garlic. Mix the noodles, vegetables in a bowl and top with some ripe mango slices and crushed peanuts. Drizzle over the dressing and mix well. Serve this crunchy salad cold with a wedge of lime.
Mexican Wild Rice Salad:
Cook some organic brown rice and wild rice. Sauté some onions, garlic, and bay leaf. Stir in some tomatoes, corn kernels, capsicum, red kidney beans, and cannelloni beans. Add coriander, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Add the rice and mix well with the other ingredients. Add a lettuce cup in a bowl, top it with the cooked rice. Garnish with avocado slices, crushed tortilla chips, cilantro, and lemon juice. This hearty rice salad can be served warm or cold.
Grilled Pineapple & Arugula Salad:
This refreshing summer classic salad is wonderfully hydrating and delicious. Slice some pineapple and grill in a pan. Add a handful of rocket leaves, crushed peanuts and crumble some fresh feta. To make the lemon orange drizzle, add orange juice, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, mint leaves, pepper, in a jar and give it a shake. Drizzle over the dressing and serve the salad cold.
Cretan Salad:
Chop some cucumbers, kalamata olives, red onions, rocket leaves, roasted tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and feta cheese. Toast some barley bread and break into bite size pieces. To make the dressing, mix lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, fresh basil, salt, and apple cider vinegar. Mix all the ingredients and drizzle over the dressing.
These recipes are a great way to make your kids eat veggies. Not only are these salad dishes delicious but also packed full of nutrition. If you want to refrigerate the salad, store the dressing in an airtight container.