I’ve become a real lover of salads this summer. Don’t get me wrong, serve me up a bowl of the classic leaves, cucumber, onion combo and I won’t exactly be toooo impressed, but a bowl of this? I’ll be one happy girl! A substantial bowl of crisp veggies, dressed in some kind of yummy sauce, can make the tastiest of dinners. It needs a mixture of tastes, textures and colours, a dressing that will make it sing.
NB: this does work out well as a lunchbox dish, but I’d leave out the cucumber and keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.
- 3-4 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp smooth peanut butter
- 2 limes, zest and juice
- fresh ginger (about the size of your thumb), grated or finely chopped (or use the everso useful Very Lazy paste – you could even do the same for the chilli too!)
- 1 fresh red chilli (remove the seeds if you’re a little scared of heat!)
- 1 tbsp runny honey (I’d get some cheaper stuff, anything ‘nice’ tastes too much of honey in this)
- 1 pack of radishes
- 1 chinese leaf lettuce
- 1 bunch salad onions (around 5-6)
- 3 large carrots
- 1/2 cucumber (I didn’t include this in the one I photographed, but it adds a nice freshness!)
- 1 pack coriander
Prep the veggies – finely slice the radishes and onions, then shred the lettuce. Use a julienne peeler to cut ribbons of the carrot (peel first), then use a veg peeler to gain fine slices of cucumber (discard the watery middle). Chop the coriander.
Then make the dressing. Pop the peanut butter into a small bowl with the lime zest and the finely chopped chilli, then gradually beat in the soy sauce – I find using a fork best for this. Add in the rest of the ingredients, mixing well. Toss together with the veggies, then serve immediately.
Yum yum!
*Some products were received from Very Lazy in exchange for a recipe, though all opinions are (as ever!) my own.
Are you a salad fan? What’s your favorite combo?