Soaring heat in the summer not only curbs the appetite,
but also lessens the desire to slave over a hot stove. Such days call for cool,
refreshing salads. Salads are packed with goodness of nutrients bursting with
flavors.
Eating salad doesn't have to be the healthy habit of
someone who is trying to lose weight, however.
The health benefits of eating salad are so numerous and adaptable,
making salads a healthy option for anyone.
What are the health benefits of salad? The answer depends on the ingredients used
when preparing a salad, as well as the actual leafy greens themselves. Salads that consist mainly of vegetables and
fruits – and avoid lots of unhealthy “extras” – provide many nutritional
benefits like fiber, vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy fats.
I like serving salads for summer night meal because:
It is easy to cook and you simply can’t go wrong when
adding basic salad ingredients, so it isn't necessary to be a chef or even know
how to cook in order to make a delicious salad. Children can easily assist in
preparing salads. It is also the perfect meal to motivate children towards
eating a variety of vegetables since they are more apt to eat what they help
prepare.
Secondly it is surely a treat for
your eyes. Salads have varied textures, shapes, sizes and colors which make
them visually appealing and satisfying. We enjoy foods that entice our eyes and
also eat more of them. Eating a variety of textures keeps mealtime interesting.
Salad ingredients can add a nice crunch which is much better for you than
munching on cookies or potato chips.
Today’s recipe is a combination of some exotic veggies green
apple and feta cheese tossed with an interesting dressing of lemon, coriander
and the pungent flavor of mustard seeds. To add an extra zing, I have topped
the salad with roasted pumpkin seeds which gives that irresistible crunch and
enhances the taste. This is a salad with all the ingredients of summer-“Warmth,
Fresh and Colorful”.
This is my favorite salad and it
is always a hit when I take it to a gathering. You can use any combination of
salad greens that you like; I use whatever I have on hand. I shouldn’t admit
it, but I could drink this dressing.
Serves: 2-3 People
Cooking Time: Under 15 Minutes
Preparation Time: Under 15 Minutes
1. Green Apple : 1 Medium
2. Salad Leaf: 2-3 leaves
3. Cherry Tomatoes: 8-9 cut in halves
4. Cucumber: 1
5. Yellow and Red Bell Peppers: Diced in quarter size( 1 cup)
6. Feta Cheese :1/3 cup crumbled
7. Freshly Crushed Black Pepper: 1 ½
tsp
8. Salt to Taste
9. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: 2 tsp
10. Broccoli: ½ cup cut in small pieces
Ingredients for the Salad Dressing:
1. 3 tbsp Olive Oil
2. Salt as per Taste
3. 1 big Lemon
4. Finely Chopped Coriander Leaves- 2 tbsp
5. Freshly Crushed Yellow Mustard Seed Powder- 2 tsp
6. Crushed Garlic- 1 Tsp
7. Sugar: 1 tsp
Method:
1. Thinly slice the green apple by
removing the seeds and rest them in cold water so that don’t change color.
2. Scrap the skin of the cucumber and
remove seeds to cut them into quarter pieces. Similarly remove seed of the bell
peppers to make square size bites.
3. Heat Water in a pot and put salt
in it. Immerse the broccoli pieces into the hot water and cook it on high flame
for 2-3 minutes. Strain them from the water and place it with some cold ice
cubes to retain the color. Don’t overcook the broccoli. It should retain its
crunchiness.
4. Now time to make the dressing, add
all the ingredients together and whisk it well to dissolve everything well. Refrigerate
it for 10 minutes. It should be added just before serving the salad.
5. Place the salad leaf in mixing bowl and place all the ingredients together
except the dressing and the feta cheese.
6. Just before serving add the dressing and toss it well with all the
veggies and top it up with crumbled feta cheese and sprinkle it with roasted
pumpkin seeds.
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