Up your yum factor with these healthy and delicious salads.
We are finally getting some sunshine! And with spring in full swing, there has never been a better time to get creative in the kitchen. People often think of salad as punishment food – a bowl of limp leaves and not much else. But the truth is that a well-made salad with fresh, beautifully-prepped ingredients is one of life’s great pleasures. And the perfect healthy meal for your lunchbox.
Get inspired with some of my favourite spring salad recipes, below.
Quinoa Fruit Salad
Now, this may sound a bit strange, but trust me – it works. Combine strawberries (chopped in half), blueberries, and chopped mango in a bowl. You can use any combination of fruit you love. Add 75g of cooked, cooled quinoa, and combine. For the dressing, combine the juice of a large lime, a tablespoon of honey, and chopped fresh mint leaves. The result is zingy, fresh fruit salad that will quickly become a fixture in your favourite recipe list.
Courgette, Peashoot, and Feta Salad
This one takes a little prep, but it’s absolutely worth it. Use a potato peeler to carve long ribbons off a courgette. Combine with a little olive oil and salt and pepper. Lay the ribbons out on a sheet of greaseproof paper and place under a hot grill until the edges start to brown and curl. Watch them carefully, they can burn very quickly. Now leave to cool. Crumble 150g of feta and empty a packet of pea shoots into a large bowl. For the dressing mix two teaspoons of olive oil with a tablespoon of honey and half a tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Finish with a teaspoon of mustard. Combine all the ingredients and enjoy!
Green Bean, Garlic, and Chilli Salad
This easy salad tastes delicious hot or cold. Prepare a packet of green beans and drop into boiling salted water for 2 minutes. Drain and leave to cool. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a pan and add a finely chopped red chilli and three cloves of garlic – crushed or diced finally. Add the green beans and coat with olive oil, garlic, and chill for around two minutes or until the garlic just starts to brown. Season well and serve with a squeeze of lemon juice.
Herby Potato Salad
This one makes a great side dish and an alternative to calorie-laden, mayonnaise-based potato salads. Cook new potatoes in salted water until tender then drain, and allow to cool. Blend 100ml of olive oil with a bunch of parsley and basil, along with a clove of garlic. Toss potatoes in the herby dressing for a vibrant green dish.
The great thing about salads is that they are completely customisable. So, have fun playing around with these recipes or creating your own from scratch. The only limits are your imagination (and perhaps the contents of your fridge!) Next week, we will be celebrating the bank holiday with some hiking tips and inspiration. It’s the perfect time of year to get your walking boots on!
If you’re ready to turbocharge your spring fitness, why not pop down to FitFusion PT? Our outdoor workout area is the perfect place to work out in the sunshine. And our group classes are a great way to get started on your fitness journey. Get in touch to find out more. Until next time, stay amazing.
