Food cravings are a common scenario, especially if you are working from home. While eating unhealthy foods is easy for myriad excuses like lack of time, we have some exclusive, easy-to-prepare salads that not only keep you feeling full but are also incredibly healthy.
Recipe- 1: Colors of Paradise
ingredients
For the lettuce body:
For non-veg options – use cubed boiled chicken / poached fish / sauteed shrimp / luncheon meat / sausage / salami / boiled eggs.
For the vegetable options as follows:
American corn – 1 cup – canned / cooked
Spring onion – 2 no. Cut
Green cucumber – 1 no – cut into small cubes
Cherry tomatoes / red ripe tomatoes – do not cut 1 into cubes, remove the seeds.
Cooked chickpeas / kidney beans / black-eyed peas – ½ cup
For the base – iceberg / salad of your choice – 1 cup
For the dressing:
Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
Lime juice – 2 tbsp.
Fresh mint leaves – 8-10 not cracked
Mustard paste-1 tsp
Tomato sauce – 1 tbsp.
Rock salt / pink salt / Chaat Masala – ½ tsp
Ground black pepper – 1 tsp
Fresh herbs of your choice – 2 to 3 tbsp.
For the set:
Sesame seeds / flax seeds / pumpkin seeds / chia seeds – 1 tbsp
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients for the salad.
2. Put the dressing in a glass or a mixing bowl and chill.
3. Throw the body of the salad together [ veg or non-veg] with the prepared dressing.
4. Place on a bed of crispy lettuce leaves and top with seeds / side dishes of your choice.
Recipe -2: Healthy Litter Bowl
ingredients
For the base of the salad
Different salad or cabbage of your choice – 1 cup
For the body of the salad
For non-vegetarian options:
Boiled eggs / sauteed chicken liver / chicken or pork sausages / bacon / salami / chicken tikka / reshmi kababs.
For the vegetable options.
Boiled potato cubes – 1/2 cup
French beans – 10 to 12 pieces – halved and blanched in water and kept in chilled water.
Shallots / small onions – 2 to 3 no. cut
Assorted peppers – ½ cup cubes
Cherry tomatoes / red ripe tomatoes – ½ cup diced.
Green cucumber – 1 without a dice
For the set:
Feta cheese / any cheese of your choice – ¼ cup crumbled / grated / cubed.
For the dressing:
Orange juice – ½ cup
Honey – 1 tbsp.
Chilli flakes – ½ tsp
Mixed herbs – 1/2 tsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Sliced olives – 2 to 3 No.
Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
Lime juice – 1 tsp
For the salad garnish:
Parsley / coriander leaves – 2 tbsp.
Method:
1. Prepare the ingredients for the salad.
2. Throw the dressing well on its side.
3. Mix the ingredients for the salad body with the dressing.
4. Arrange on a bed of lettuce leaves and garnish with olives / herbs / cheese and serve.
Recipe 3: straightforward salad
ingredients
For the non-vegetarian options:
Roast sliced chicken / roast lamb / mutton / grilled prawns / sauteed sausages / double fried eggs.
For the salad base:
Assorted lettuce leaves – 1 cup
Boiled beans of your choice – 1 cup
Boiled potato cubes – 1 cup
Water chestnuts – ½ cup sliced - fresh or canned can also be used – optional.
Blanched cauliflower / broccoli florets – 1 cup
Green cucumber – 1 without a dice
Cooked French beans 1/2 cup
Fresh pineapple – ½ cup cubes – fresh or canned.
For the dressing:
Suspended cottage cheese – 1 cup
Olive oil – 2 tbsp.
Salt and pepper to taste
Honey – 1 tsp
Salt and pepper to taste
Roasted crushed peanuts – 2 tbsp.
Red / green chili sauce – 1 tbsp.
Toasted cumin powder – ½ tsp
Cream cheese – 1 tbsp.
Tender coconut mala – ¼ cup
For the set
Sliced almonds / pista / raisins / cashew nuts – 2 tbsp.
Various fresh herbs for garnish.
Method:
1. Prepare all the ingredients for the salad.
2. Mix the dressing in a mixing bowl.
3. Mix the body and dressing in a bowl, check for spices.
4. Arrange the salad on a serving plate, garnish with nuts / toasted bread crotons / grated cheese / olives.
About the author: Dr. Kaviraj Khialani, celebrity chef. Food Health and Lifestyle Advisor.
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