Salad healthy

Break away from the hesitance to relish salads during the monsoons and forget the age old tradition of eating the dish as an add-on at meals. Today we see people thronging the salad bars to binge on nutritious salads available in assorted combinations as an alternative to oily and fried snacks to satiate their yearning to eat.

Salads are nourishing with less calorie that helps in maintaining a good physical shape. It also helps develop a good eating habit among all age groups.

Just remember one thing before you start putting the salad together. Wash and clean your fresh veggies and fruits in salt water. Assemble everything before you start putting the salad together.

Here are a few simple salads with simple ingredients available at home to munch like the Crunchy Moong Corn Salad.

Crunchy moong corn salad

In a big bowl mix half cup finely chopped spring onion, half cup baby corn, half cup sprouted moong, half cup red and yellow peppers and a few pomegranate seeds (optional). Add a spoon of lemon juice, black pepper, sugar and salt to taste. Toss lightly and refrigerate for some time. Heat a spoon full of oil in a non stick pan and add garlic flakes. Sauté till brown and add it to your salad. Garnish it with freshly chopped coriander leaves.

The fruit and nut salad:

Here is a perfect salad combo to wolf at tea time in the monsoons after a hard day’s work.

The ingredients are one cup mashed cottage cheese, 6-7 pieces seedless dates, a few pieces of any fresh fruit of your choice, 1/2 cup mixed dry fruits, one small tomato sliced, and 2 tea spoons of mint and tomato chutney both (chutney flavour is optional). You can also use mayonnaise if you want. In a serving dish mix the mixture of cottage cheese, mayonnaise and the chutneys. On top of it make a layer of the mixture of other ingredients. Garnish with tomato slices. Let it set for about 10 minutes before relishing this yummy Fruit and Nut Salad.

Fruit cocktail salad

For making a fruit cocktail salad, you can use milkmaid sweet milk or custard as per your preference. In a jiffy mix the fruits pieces like apples, mango, orange, grapes that are available in the house. Pour some fruit cocktail and toss to blend. Drain the liquid from the fruit and then mix a little custard or milkmaid gently into the mixture. Sprinkle two  drops of your favourite flavour of any essence and sit back to enjoy the delicious taste that pampers your taste buds.

Refreshing chicken salad

A perfect salad for the non vegetarians here is a simple salad that will lift your mood and satisfy your gastronomic tastes. The Refreshing Chicken Salad can be made with simple ingredients.  Pressure Cook about 800 gms of chicken with one bay leaf, 3-4 cloves and a small stick of cinnamon till done. De-bone it and shred it. In a bowl mix this shredded chicken with one boiled potato cut into small cubes, a little shredded cabbage, and 1 chilly finely chopped and a small capsicum finely chopped. Add in one teaspoon of lemon juice, one tea spoon of black pepper and some mayonnaise. After adding salt to taste, garnish it with walnut pieces and serve.

Nothing can beat a bowl of fresh fruits but try these combinations and let your imagination flow to come up with an appetizing salad to satisfy your craving.