Build a Better Salad this Summer with Natures Choice!

14 October 2016

The days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer! That means salads are now something we can look forward to more often instead of warming hearty soups and stews. People often associate pulses and legumes with more winter style dishes but the truth is they work amazingly well as a base for summer salads too!

Its easy to get stuck in a rut and end up churning out the same salad again and again but it doesn’t have to be this way. A few hints and tips will get you exploring different foods and open a whole world or crispy, crunchy and nourishing alternatives. At Natures Choice we stock a wide range of wholegrains and legumes so you will never get tired of all the possible options you have!

Its important to make sure that the salad you put together will satisfy you as eating a salad that isn’t hearty enough will find you snacking throughout the afternoon. You can tilt that in the opposite direction as well: A terrific and healthy salad can suddenly become unhealthy if you put the wrong dressing over it, or opt for a lot of cheese in the mix.

Barley, Squash & Brocolli Salad

TIP 1: Make sure you roast/steam/stir-fry extra veggies for your evening meal and then store them in the fridge – that way you will have lots more interesting additions for your salad the next day.

TIP 2: Prepare one grain/seed (for example like Quinoa, Spelt, Barley, Brown Rice, Buckwheat) and one legume/pulse (Lentils, chickpeas, any kind of beans) over the weekend and store them cooked in the fridge. That way you always have a complete protein base for your salads.

Using proteins in salads can also help keep you full throughout the day. Try adding some of our raw nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc… Toasting your nuts or seeds lightly will change the flavours and textures of your salad. Certain grains can also create texture like quinoa, bulgur wheat or whole spelt and buckwheat.

Bulgur Wheat, Red Pepper & Aubergine salad

Once you have made your salad you will need to dress it with something! And here you also have lots of different options that will give you different flavours. Olive oil has a grassy deep flavour, whilst coconut oil adds a tropical taste, and there are of course oils like Sesame oil, Avocado or Macadamia nut oil. Once you have your oil base you will need some kind of acidic component like our raw apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar. Try using different oils for different flavours. Adding a natural sweetener like honey will balance the dressing out and a touch of salt or even soya sauce will finish it up.

If you are taking your salad to work or want to transport it somewhere then using a glass jar is the best! You just layer your salad leaving the wet ingredients at the bottom so as not to wilt the leaves and everything stays crisp 🙂

Salad in a Jar!

Mix up the greens you use in your salad to keep things interesting and always add some darker green leaves like kale, watercress or spinach for extra nutrients! And fresh herbs are a great way of adding flavour and nutrients into your salads, from fresh dill to parsley, tarragon, chives and coriander you are spoilt for choice.

Buckwheat Garden Salad

Happy salad making everyone! We hope we inspired you!