Posts

Nori and Rice Salad

/in , , /by

A healthy, nourishing salad that’s really filling and packed with flavour.

Ingredients: 
½ cup dry weight sushi rice, cooked according to package directions
1 carrot, shredded
60g broccoli, in small florets
¼ red pepper, chopped (use the other whole red pepper, if following the plan, and cut down the side, leaving the other ¾ intact)
1 scallion, sliced
3 or 4 mushrooms, sliced
2 or 3 tbsp red cabbage, shredded (cooked, if desired)
100g baby spinach
2 sheets of nori, finely chopped
Soy sauce, if available; if not, use either salt or some of the sultanas to flavour
Flaked almonds, toasted, to garnish

Directions
1. Steam the broccoli until just fork tender. Cool in an ice bath (or under cold running water). 
2. Fry the mushrooms with the spinach until cooked.
3. Mix all ingredients, and season to taste. Sprinkle with flaked almonds, if desired.

Herbed Tomato and Bread Salad

/in , , , /by

Heirloom tomatoes are wonderful for this simple yet flavoursome Herbed Tomato and Bread salad, but any tomatoes will do. The measurements are merely approximations; you don’t have to be exact. This serves 4 as a side or 2 as a main.

Ingredients
8 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into eighths 
10 cherry tomatoes, halved
7g fresh Greek basil, roughly chopped
3g fresh mint, finely chopped
4g fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
120g crusty suitable-for-vegan bread, cubed

Directions
1. Mix the tomatoes and herbs in a large bowl. 
2. In a small bowl, mix the garlic, oil (if using), salt and pepper. 
3. When ready to serve, add the bread to the tomatoes, pour over the garlic mixture, and toss. Season to taste.

Italian-Inspired Chickpea Salad

/in , , , , , /by

An incredibly bold and lively Italian-Inspired Chickpea Salad from Frances McCormack, this takes just minutes to make andis served with a Wholegrain Mustard and Balsamic Dressing. Packed with flavour, this makes a great sandwich spread or topping for a bed of greens. Serves 1 as a large salad, or 2 as a side or sandwich spread.

Ingredients:
For the salad
1 can chickpeas, drained and minced
1 roasted red pepper (I used one from a jar), finely diced
3 sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
8 black olives, finely chopped
Large bunch basil, chiffonaded

For the dressing
1 tbsp suitable-for-vegans wholegrain mustard
1 tsp maple syrup
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:
1. Mash the chickpeas. Mix with all of the salad ingredients.
2. Whisk the dressing ingredients together. Season to taste.
3. Toss the salad with the dressing, a little at a time, tasting as you go (I used all of the dressing, but I like bold flavours).

Ginger-Miso Cabbage Salad

/in , , , /by

Perfect for packed lunches or picnics, this is even easier to put together if you can use the shredding attachment on a food processor.

Salad:
200g red cabbage, shredded
150g white cabbage, shredded
1/2 red onion, finely sliced
1 large carrot, shredded
2 tbsp golden raisins or cranberries
2 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted in a frying pan until golden

Dressing:
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1/2 tbsp soy sauce
pinch dried ginger
1 heaped tsp yellow miso

Directions:
1. Mix all of the salad ingredients.
2. Mix all of the dressing ingredients.
3. Mix the dressing into the salad.

Jewelled Greens and Beans Salad

/in , , , , , , /by

A simple, filling, and nutritious salad that’s full of flavour and texture. This would work well with miso-ginger salad dressing or even balsamic vinaigrette.

Ingredients (per serving)

1 cup baby spinach leaves
1/2 cup cooked rice
1/2 cup beans of choice
1 cup steamed broccoli
1 carrot, peeled and cut into strips with the peeler
2 tbsp pomegranate seeds

Directions

Use the spinach as a base, top with the rest of the ingredients, and enjoy.

Blueberry Bean Salad

/in , , , /by

One of the joys of salad is the possibility to get creative with them. This fruity, beany salad is certainly novel, and the recipe results in a large portion for one, or a medium-sized portion for two.

Ingredients
6 leaves romaine/cos lettuce, shredded
1 sweet apple, diced
1/4 cup blueberries
1 stalk celery, diced
1 cold baked potato (skin on), chopped
1/4 cup cooked black beans
1 scallion/green onion, chopped
2 tbsp vegan salad dressing (miso-ginger or tofu ranch)

Directions:
1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl.
2. Toss.
3. Enjoy

Sweet and Crunchy Speedy Walnut Salad

/in , , , , /by

Who says salads have to be boring? With lots of interesting, complementary textures, plenty of sweetness, and a hint of acidity to balance it all out, this one is most certainly not. This recipe serves four, and is perfect for those who insist that they can’t cook.

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain all-plant yoghurt
3 tbsp parsley, chopped
Zest and juice 1 small lemon
1 tsp maple syrup
2 apples, cored and chopped
4 stalks celery, diced
24 seedless grapes (any colour or a mix), halved
1/4 cup golden raisins
20 walnut halves, toasted and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

1. In a small bowl, mix the yoghurt, parsley, lemon zest, and maple syrup. Season to taste.
2. In a large bowl, toss the apples in the lemon juice. Add all other ingredients apart from the walnuts, and toss.
3. Mix the dressing through the salad. Top with walnuts and serve.

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Salad

/in , , , , /by

A relatively easy salad with wonderful textures, this serves one as a main course or two as a side. Great for packed lunches, but pack the dressing separately so that the lettuce doesn’t become soggy.

250g baked and cooled sweet potato, cubed
1/4 cup cooked black beans
5 leaves romaine/cos lettuce, shredded
2 scallions/spring onions/green onions, diced
2 tbsp unsalted pistachio nuts, shelled
1 tsp each toasted sesame and pumpkin seeds
1 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
2 tbsp dressing of choice (e.g. Miso-Ginger dressing)

Directions
1. Add the romaine lettuce to a large bowl. Top with sweet potato. Sprinkle over black beans, scallions, nuts, seeds.
2. Top with dressing. Toss, and sprinkle with nutritional yeast.

Sushi Salad with Wasabi Dressing

/in , , , , /by

This colourful salad balances the flavours of crisp, refreshing vegetables with the sweetness of pear and the unique flavour and health benefits of sea vegetables. It makes a perfect packed lunch; just carry the nori in a separate container and add it before serving. Serves 4.

Ingredients

For the salad

2 cups dried sushi rice, cooked and cooled
1 red pepper, finely diced
1 yellow pepper, finely diced
2 pears, finely diced
1/2 courgette, finely diced
1/2 cucumber, finely diced
4 sheets nori, shredded

For the dressing

2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp white or yellow miso paste
3 pea-sized blobs wasabi paste, or more to taste

1. Mix all salad ingredients. Add the nori just before serving.
2. Mix all dressing ingredients.
3. Serve the salad with the dressing.

Moroccan Chickpea Salad

/in , , , , , , /by

This is a budget and speedy recipe that’s perfect for packed lunches; it makes enough for a large plate for four, or for a starter for eight.

Ingredients

For the salad

1 red onion
2 cloves garlic
2 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup vegetable stock
1/4 cucumber, finely diced
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
Pinch cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 small cooked beetroot, finely diced
5 cherry tomatoes, finely diced
1 spring onion, finely sliced
3 dried apricots, finely chopped
3 dates, finely chopped

For the dressing

1 tbsp tahini
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp soy sauce
Small bunch fresh coriander, torn

Method

1. Sauté the onion over a medium low heat in a nonstick pan for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds more.
2. Add the 1/4 cup vegetable broth to deglaze the pan, and add the chickpeas and spices. Cook over a low heat until the liquid is evaporated (5-7 minutes). Allow to cool.
3. Meanwhile, mix the rest of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
4. In a smaller bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients together to combine.
5. When the chickpeas are cooled, stir through the salad ingredients. Serve with dressing.

Serving suggestion:
Beetroot hummus
Toasted seeds
Pita bread or cooked grains (e.g. rice or couscous)