If you think a salad always has to mean a salad bowl full of lettuce, think again! The world of salad is infinitely more than just lettuce leaves. There is a sea of different types of salads where the base can be anything from pasta and quinoa to beans and broccoli. These salad options are packed with a variety of flavors and textures, while offering healthy and nutritious meal options. Below are five simple recipes for ‘salads without salad’ that are as delicious as they are healthy.
Greek pasta salad
Ingredients:
250g pasta (e.g. fusilli)200g feta cheese, diced200g cocktail tomatoes, halved1 red onion, thinly sliced100g black olives, pitted2 tbsp olive oil2 tbsp white wine vinegarSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:
Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package.Mix all other ingredients in a large bowl.Add the cooled pasta and mix well.Serve chilled.Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables
Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa2 cups of water2 carrots, sliced1 zucchini, sliced1 red pepper, diced2 tbsp olive oilSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:
Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.Put the vegetables on a plate, pour over olive oil, salt and pepper.Roast in the oven at 200°C for 20 minutes or until soft.Mix the roasted vegetables with the quinoa.This is how you make food last longer this summer – 8 simple tricks
Bean salad with coriander
Ingredients:
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained1 can corn, drained1 red pepper, diced1/2 red onion, finely chopped1 jalapeno, finely choppedFresh coriander, finely choppedJuice of 1 lime2 tbsp olive oilSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl.Leave the salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.Couscous salad with feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes
Ingredients:
1 cup couscous1 cup of water100g sun-dried tomatoes, shredded100g feta cheese, dicedFresh parsley, choppedJuice of 1 lemon2 tbsp olive oilSalt and pepper to tasteInstructions:
Cook couscous according to package instructions.Mix the couscous with the other ingredients.Leave the salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.Broccoli salad with raisins and sunflower seeds
Ingredients:
1 head of broccoli, cut into small florets1/2 red onion, finely chopped1/2 cup raisins1/2 cup sunflower seedsFor dressing: 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugarInstructions:
Leave the broccoli in boiling water for about 1-2 minutes, then rinse it in cold water to stop the cooking.Mix the broccoli with red onion, raisins and sunflower seeds.Mix the ingredients for the dressing and pour over the salad.Leave the salad in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.