Is there such a thing as a tasty side salad?

[SlightlySuperiorPeasant]

I'd really like to start using side salads instead of carbs as accompaniments to meat and fish dishes but a handful of rocket and a chopped tomato isn't really inspiring me. Does anyone have any good ideas for tasty side salads?

[LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake]

basil, tomato, small amount of mozzarella, drizzle of olive oil or pesto, grate of pepper

[Katisha]

You have to find a dressing you like. I find balsamic vinegar makes most things taste nice.

[ScienceRocks]

Jazz them up with avocado, sun blush tomatoes, seeds, beetroot etc. dressings make a huge difference too, I love a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a grind of black pepper.

[helpyourself]

Grate a carrot in it too, toasted nuts, olives all brighten a salad up.

[SlightlySuperiorPeasant]

Thank you! Can I be lazy and keep a batch of toasted seeds and nuts in a box or do I have to do them each time?

[ScienceRocks]

keep a batch ready for sprinkling. No need to do it each time.

[BertieBotts]

Boiled eggs are nice in salads too, also try changing the leaves - I like red cabbage and basil and spinach can be nice as whole leaves too.

[LauriesFairyonthetreeeatsCake]

Lakelands munchy seeds are great for salad sprinkling (if you can resist just munching the box)

//www.lakeland.co.uk/13117/Munchy-Seeds-Omega-Mix

[laptopwieldingharpy]

Where to start?

Make it thai with a vinaigrette made of fish sauce/lime juice/ chilli/ garlic and add lots of fresh coriander ( chilli optional but great for thermogenic effect)
Works well well with chopped crisp lettuce/cucumber/ tomato/ shallots

Make it lebanese with a vinaigrette of tahini/ lemon juice/ garlic/ salt
Works well with shredded raw root veg such as beets/carrots/swedes + lots of fresh parsley

Make it japanese with sesame oil/ vinegar/soy sauce/ spring onion
Great with shredded cabbage or spinach or green apple/ celery/walnuts

Moroccan (and mexican) with olive oil/ lemon juice/ cumin/ garlic
With chopped crisp bell peppers/ tomatoes/ cucumber

[laptopwieldingharpy]

Mmmmm yes seeds and chopped nuts

[laptopwieldingharpy]

Remember condiments works well to jazz up the blandest grills.

Raitas with spiced grilled chicken
Salsa verde or a fruity salsa for grilled fish
Chimichurri for grilled meat.
Packed with flavours and satisfying. Just add a steamed or braised green veg such as long beans or collard greens etc...

[noddyholder]

Rocket vine tomato red onion pine nuts toasted olive oil salt Yum!

[SlightlySuperiorPeasant]

Mmm I'll give these a go. My last attempt at salad was a leaf/papaya/pumpkin seed/balsamic/salt/pepper affair that our guests quietly left to one side :(

[sashh]

Red salad

orange (don't have to have this but I do)
beetroot
red onion
grated carrot


Make a nice dressing, always makes salad nicer

[HollyBollyBooBoo]

Leaves of choice, cauliflower broken up into tiny florets, a few dried cranberries and a little goats cheese - delish.

Also a great main course salad is a good old fashioned cobb salad. A big platter filler with different rows of what ever salady type elements you want, i.e leaves, tomatoes, sweetcorn, cucumber etc etc and then a couple of chicken breasts cooked through, cooled and sliced and also a couple of rashers of pancetta per person.

[QueenofWhatever]

We eat a lot of homemade coleslaw - depending on what's around cabbage, carrots, peppers, spring onions, celeriac, beetroot, swede. Sometimes I add herbs/seeds/nuts. The dressing can vary but usually half and half low-fay mayo and yoghurt. Jamie Oliver has some good recipes along these lines.