7 summer salads you'll actually want to eat
Summer is upon us, as is salad season. The time when it’s too hot out to contemplate cooking a hearty meal so you crave lightness, freshness and simplicity instead. But there’s one issue… Salads can be a little bit boring, to put it bluntly.
It can be tough to be imaginative when it comes to salads. Wilted lettuce isn’t a good look. And how many variations can there really be on the leaf-tomato combo? Luckily, lots! We’ve trawled the internet to find seven of the most appetising summer salads you’ll actually want to eat this season. Give them a go and let us know what you think!
1. Grilled pineapple, chicken and avocado salad
Throw some pineapple into the mix and your salad is sure to feel like a tropical treat of a meal. Grab the below ingredients and click the link above for the full recipe.
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and sliced into 1-inch thick rings
- 1800g baby spinach
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
- 115g crumbled feta cheese
- quarter of a red onion, thinly sliced
- honey garlic vinaigrette
2. Sliced fennel, orange and almond salad
This flavoursome salad takes only 15 minutes to prepare – perfect for those hot summer evenings after work when you’d much rather spend your time eating something delicious than making it.
- 3 bulbs of fennel
- 1 handful of almonds
- 3 oranges
- a few springs of fresh mint
- 2 handfuls of rocket
- sherry vinegar
- extra virgin olive oil
3. Lentil tabbouleh
A salad doesn’t need to contain meat in order to fill you up. Lentils are a great protein source, and hearty, too. Give this tabbouleh a try.
- 200g puy lentils
- 1 bunch of spring onions
- 200g ripe cherry tomatoes
- 1 large bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 large bunch of fresh mint
- extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon
4. BLT salad
It’s hard to go wrong with a classic bacon-lettuce-tomato combo. Bring this one to life with a delicious buttermilk and parmesan dressing.
- 565g cubed white bread
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tbsp minced onion
- 60ml cider vinegar
- 120ml buttermilk
- 180ml mayonnaise
- 115g grated Parmesan cheese
- 340g romaine lettuce hearts, chopped
- 680g assorted fresh tomatoes, sliced
- 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- Flat-leaf parsley and torn basil leaves to garnish
5. Roasted potato salad with mustard-walnut vinaigrette
The flavours in this recipe make it an irresistible take on the timeless potato salad. Shake things up and let us know how it goes!
- 1800g mixed marble potatoes, or other small potatoes
- 225g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
- 1 bunch basil, leaves torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 bunch spring onions, white and green parts thinly sliced crosswise
6. Grilled peach and apricot salad
Fruits do belong in salads – and the proof lies right here in this recipe, with juicy, grilled peaches and apricots. Bring the below ingredients together for a summery taste sensation.
- 1 bunch kale, destemmed
- 4 apricots, halved
- 4 peaches, halved
- 110g prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 55g feta cheese
- 55g olive oil
- 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
7. Halloumi with griddled vegetables
Halloumi is one of our favourite cheeses, and it works so well in this light, easy-to-make salad. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- 100g frozen broad beans
- 225g halloumi cheese
- 1 small bunch of asparagus
- 2 courgettes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 shallots
- 200g ripe cherry tomatoes
- 1 tbsp capers
- ½ a bunch of fresh sweet marjoram or oregano
- ½ a bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley
Got any no-fail summer salads of your own to share? We’re always on the hunt for new taste ideas, so do let us know in the comments below!
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