3 amazing salad recipes you must incorporate into your diet

If you are committed to clean eating, having a salad can be a healthy choice and a great option. A healthy diet can be difficult for some people to maintain since they don't eat enough fruits and vegetables. A daily fresh salad can help you easily consume all the servings you require and can also encourage a clean eating lifestyle. Dark leafy greens and colourful vegetables found in salads ensure that you receive a variety of vitamins and minerals, assisting you in maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Additionally, they are brimming with antioxidants, which are crucial substances in the battle against free radicals that might cause cancer. Keep the majority of the ingredients in their raw state as much as possible to reap the greatest benefits. These are the most potent when it comes to creating a truly healthy salad, plus they’re full of flavour and satisfying crunch. Check out the three amazing salad recipes you should must try. (Also read: Make these tasty and healthy recipes with oats )

1. Tasty tomato salad

Tasty tomato salad(Unsplash)
Tasty tomato salad(Unsplash)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cup mixed chopped tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion
  • Optional Toppings: scallions & croutons

Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Couple cracks fresh pepper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 2 tsp pizza seasoning
  • Bunch fresh oregano

Method:

-Whisk all together

-Pour over tomatoes & onion mixture

-Top with scallions and croutons

2. Chick pea salad

2. Chick pea salad(gettyimages)
2. Chick pea salad(gettyimages)

Ingredients:

  • Approx 50g leafy greens/salad mix
  • 1/2 cup canned beetroot, drained
  • 80g firm tofu, sliced
  • 1/2 can chickpeas, drained
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp garlic chilli basil paste mix (from a jar)
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp bbq sauce
  • Curry powder, paprika, black pepper

Method:

- Heat sesame oil in a pan on a low to medium heat. Add sliced tofu pieces to one side of the pan and the chickpeas to the other side.

- Drizzle soy sauce over the pan. Add the garlic chilli basil mix. Mix it through the chickpeas and flip tofu pieces to coat in soy sauce and garlic mix.

- Add the bbq sauce and spices. Cook for 6 to 7 mins, or until tofu is golden brown and the chickpeas are coated in the sauce which has thickened.

- Assemble greens, beetroot and top with the tofu slices and chickpeas.

3. Creamy pasta salad

creamy pasta salad(Unsplash)
creamy pasta salad(Unsplash)

Ingredients:

  • 1 and 1/2 cups pasta, cooked al dente and cooled
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red capsicum, thinly sliced
  • Fresh rocket, a couple of handfuls
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely sliced
  • 250g bacon, cooked and diced
  • 1/3 cup Greek yoghurt
  • 1/3 mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing (can use more to suit taste) I used Oli & Vine Creamy Ranch
  • 1 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Method:

- In a small bowl combine the yoghurt, mayonnaise, ranch salad dressing, oil, garlic and pepper. Whisk together well.

- Place pasta, carrot, tomatoes, rocket, capsicum, chives and pan fried bacon in a large serving bowl.

- Pour over the dressing and mix well.

- And there you have it, a quick and simple pasta salad recipe using ingredients most of us have on hand all the time.