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Something magical happens during summer and monsoon, when a salad ceases to be just a side dish and becomes a joyous celebration instead. As the days are longer and the sun feels like it’s lingering in the bright sky, or humidity makes you lose your appetite, a cold and refreshing salad can be the best choice for a meal.
Light enough that it won’t weigh you down, yet bursting with flavour, vibrancy, and crunch, these salads can make healthy eating feel like a delight rather than a duty. Tomatoes still warm from the garden, crisp cucumbers, herbs that fill the air with their fragrance before you start chopping; this is the type of food that nearly prepares itself. So if you’re gearing up for a picnic, firing up the grill, or just craving something cool and invigorating, let your salad shine.
Green Salad
A green salad is a revitalising and healthy option for the humid and hot months. Made with crunchy lettuce, spinach, or mixed greens, it provides hydration as well as essential nutrients, such as vitamins A and C. They are refreshing, easy on the digestive system, and simple to make without any cooking. In a large bowl, add your lettuce, sliced cucumber, chopped herbs, and spring onions. Let’s discuss the salad dressing: just olive oil, vinegar, or lemon juice, a bit of honey, and a dash of salt. It’s something you can whip up in seconds, and yet it changes the taste of the salad. It blends all components, like a delicate symphony. They fight the heat, help the digestive system, and keep you energised. Green salads are an excellent way to stay healthy and cool during warm days.
Tomato-Corn Salad
This weather is all about fresh, vibrant flavours, and nothing embodies that better than a bowl of tomato-corn salad. It’s easy to make, packed with seasonal produce, and bursting with colour and crunch, making it a must-have for everything from backyard barbecues to light weekday lunches. In a large mixing bowl, toss together the sweet corn, tomatoes, and red onion. Drizzle with olive oil and squeeze a lemon, then gently mix until everything is well-coated. Add in the fresh herbs and season it with salt and pepper. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. It’s loaded with healthy ingredients and completely customisable, making it a hit.
Chickpea Salad
Chickpea salad is healthy, protein-packed, and an ideal warm-weather dish. It’s made with cooked chickpeas, chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. To make it, combine all the ingredients in a bowl, then drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Now, season it with salt, pepper, and optional spices like cumin to enhance the flavour. Mix everything thoroughly and let it rest for 10–15 minutes to allow the dressing to soak in. Simple to make, packed with protein and fibre, and an explosion of fresh flavour, this salad is ideal as a light meal, a snack during tea time, or a side dish to any main course.
Street-Corn Pasta Salad
Street corn pasta salad is a tasty combination of traditional pasta salad and the flavours of Mexican street corn (known as elote). It features cooked pasta blended with grilled corn or roasted corn kernels, chopped red onions, bell peppers, and fresh cilantro for a vibrant base. The dressing consists of a creamy mixture of mayonnaise, sour cream, lime juice, chilli powder, a hint of garlic, and a touch of salt. To prepare it, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, coat with the dressing, and sprinkle crumbled Cotija or feta cheese on top. Allow the salad to refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavours. This dish is a perfect blend of sweet, spicy, creamy, and a bit of tanginess, making it great for potlucks, picnics, or a light meal.
Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a classic dish that is packed with protein, making it perfect for those warm days or when you’re in the mood for a light meal. It's adaptable, refreshing, and straightforward to make with basic ingredients. It’s super versatile, refreshing, and really easy to whip up with just a few simple ingredients. The ingredients consist of cooked chicken that is shredded or diced, then combined with crisp vegetables such as celery, onions, and bell peppers. For that creamy texture, you can use a dressing made from mayonnaise, yoghurt, or a mix of both, often jazzed up with mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. To make it, mix cooked chicken with diced celery, chopped red onion, bell peppers, and spread the dressing made of mayonnaise or yoghurt, or both. Include a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and then stir well. You can also add some optional ingredients such as apples, grapes, nuts, or herbs like parsley. Serve it cold on a bed of lettuce, in sandwiches, or wrapped in flatbread or roti. This dish is not only scrumptious but also a quick and nutritious option for any occasion.
