I’m not adverse to some leaves and cucumber slices on the side of my plate but this green salad is a little more exciting! Rummage through your fridge drawer and freezer and pull out anything green - asparagus, broccoli, green beans, edamame beans, avocado, courgettes, peas, spring onions, herbs, leaves (you get the idea!!) and combine! Finish with a simple dressing.
I like French or Asian style with this salad - both recipes are below. This salad works as a great side to any barbecue spread, to fish, steaks or a roast chicken.
Leftovers will keep for lunch the following day and it’s worth doubling up on the dressings too as they’ll keep for at least a week in the fridge.
Ingredients:
500g your choice green veg
(Slice courgettes into disks. Cut beans, sugar snaps, asparagus & tenderstem stalks into 2cm pieces)
100g frozen peas or edamame beans
1-2 avocados chopped
1/2 cucumber chopped
100g spinach shredded
A good handful of fresh herbs chopped
Bunch spring onions sliced
Asian Dressing:
Juice of 2 limes
2 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp groundnut oil
2 tsp honey
1 crushed garlic clove
1/2 tsp grated ginger
French Dressing:
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp honey
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 crushed garlic clove
1/2 tsp salt & pepper
Method:
Shake all the dressing ingredients in a jam jar.
Get a pan of water boiling & a large bowl filled with iced water ready.
Blanch the green veg then using a slotted spoon, lift out straight into the iced water. This will stop the greens overcooking, becoming limp & they will keep their vivid green colour.
Start with the chopped broccoli stalks, asparagus, courgettes, sugar snaps, beans & broad beans - they will only take 3 minutes. Add any tenderstem or asparagus tips for 2 minutes. Peas will take 4 minutes.
Once the veggies have gone cooled in the iced water, drain in a colander.
Pod any green beans.
Toss all the cooked veg together with the spinach, avocado, spring onions, cucumber & herbs & finish with the dressing.
