Salads to fuel your new-year resolutions
Try these fun recipes using fresh winter produce to detox from an indulgent December
The year has come to an end and celebrations have been long due. Chances are you suspended your inner critic and indulged in decadent plum cakes, gooey pies, wine and perfectly roasted chicken. And we love that!
But what if we told you we loved salads just as much!
They beautifully showcase fresh produce, are easy to rustle up and rich in fibre and other nutrients. In short, salads are great this time of the year when you want to get back to eating healthy and flush out the toxins in your gut!
Here are some easy recipes which will not only replenish your system with requisite nutrients, but also help you make the most of some seasonal winter veggies.
Mustard greens (sarson)
Move over sarson ka saag, these pungent greens make for a delicious salad too! Chop up some sarson. You can even add other greens of your choice -- think radish leaves to take the peppery flavour a notch up or baby spinach to temper it down. Chop up veggies of your choice – we recommend boiled potatoes and some tomatoes. Mix the chopped greens and veggies and set aside. For the dressing, mix some Godrej Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil, apple cider vinegar with the mother (which is said to be great for the gut), extra virgin olive oil, chopped parsley and salt in a separate bowl. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well. Serve immediately.
Fenugreek (methi)
Methi or fenugreek leaves grow abundantly during winters and yes, can be the veritable hero of a salad! Pressure cook some raw groundnuts and potatoes. Chop the potatoes into small pieces and add some tomatoes, chopped methi leaves (which are rich in fibre), and salt to taste. Next, drizzle some honey, lemon juice and black pepper powder on to the vegetables and mix the them well. And that’s it, you’re done! You can also garnish your salad with some fresh pomegranate seeds (anaar dana) or even add lightly fried cubes of Godrej Jersey Paneer to balance the bitterness of the methi.
Green peas (cholia)
Green chickpeas or cholia (as they are known colloquially) are quite filling and hence can act as a complete meal too. To make a quick chaat-inspired salad, boil some cholia in a pressure cooker and let them cool down. Add the cholia, chopped cucumbers, green chillies, tomatoes and onions, and fresh pomegranate seeds. Both cucumbers and tomatoes have high water content which make them filling and also help flush out toxins. You can also add some raw mango for a tangy twist, if readily available. For the dressing, mix lemon juice, and chaat masala. Mix well and serve immediately.
Carrots (gajar)
Who doesn’t love the red carrots that you can only find during winters? While the first dish that comes to mind is probably gajar ka halwa, these sweet and crunchy carrots also work well in salads. You can try making a coleslaw with a hung curd dressing instead of mayo. Or you can try this wholesome recipe instead. In a bowl, mix grated carrot, shredded cabbage, finely sliced onions and parsley or herbs of your choice. Blitz some honey, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, chilli flakes, ginger, and a clove of garlic in a mixer till it forms a smooth dressing. Pour the dressing over the veggies, toss well and enjoy the sweet, tangy and spicy salad.
Mix and match different ingredients such as Godrej Jersey Paneer, mushrooms and beetroot and tell us what salads you would make with them in the comments section below.