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Making a tasty salad doesn't need to be complicated or boring
If you want to eat healthily but don't know where to begin, home cook Ihsan Ihsani recently shared several easy salad recipes for you to try at home.
Since Tuesday, 22 June, his Twitter thread has blown up with over 9,000 retweets and over 21,700 likes.
Here are 12 of his colourful and appetising salad recipes to get you started:
1. Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
This refreshing watermelon cucumber salad is perfect, especially for hot days. You can customise by adding feta cheese, walnuts, or mint for extra freshness.
If you stay alone and can't finish the whole watermelon in one go, chop them up into cubes, and store them in ziplock bags in the freezer. You can then continue to add them to future salads or blend them into watermelon slushies the rest of the week!
2. Sambal Tempeh Salad
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
On some days when you just feel like taking a break from meat, this tempeh salad is a great option. It's flavourful and wholesome, without making you feel too lethargic, especially if you're having it for lunch.
3. Grilled Chicken Salad with Corn & Cherry Tomatoes
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
Who says salads can't be filling? Add some grilled chicken to this simple corn and lettuce salad. Top it off with cherry tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper and that's it. A quick, delicious, and filling meal in minutes!
4. Rainbow Salad with Honey Lime Dressing
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Eating food from each colour group is a great way to make sure that you're keeping your body healthy and boosting your immune system.
For this recipe, Ihsan uses veggies like yellow bell peppers, carrots, purple cabbage, corn – basically any vegetable that's colourful! Top it off with an easy-to-make vinaigrette (any basic acid and oil dressing will do) or have it with a spicy peanut dressing.
Get the recipe below:
5. Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Although this isn't exactly a salad, it's still a good, healthy option to add to your meals or even as a snack. Plus, you can make as many or as few as you'd like, depending on how much 'fuel' you need!
Ihsan shares that he personally enjoys these with the Angel Brand Thai Style Sweet Chilli Sauce. But of course, you can pair it with any of your favourite chilli sauce from the supermarket.
Get the recipe below:
6. Roasted Pumpkin Salad with Lemon Yoghurt Dressing
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Pumpkin, cinnamon, and yoghurt are what bring this scrumptious salad together. Sprinkle sunflower seeds and toasted almonds for added texture. He advises cutting all your veggies into bite-sized pieces – a simple meal for one or even a family!
Get the recipe below:
7. Stir-Fried Tempeh & Mushroom Salad
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
Tempeh is a common replacement for meat and is a good source of protein. Stir-fry and season them along with mushrooms. Place them all in a bowl of baby spinach, topped with nuts, and there you have a wholesome meal without needing to substitute any flavour.
8. Spicy Stir-Fried Chicken Salad
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
Chicken breast doesn't need to be dry or bland-tasting. When it comes to making a tasty salad, don't be afraid to season with chilli powder, salt, and pepper. Use high heat to stir-fry your chicken, veggies, and caramelised onions together.
9. Spicy Grilled Chicken & Mango Salsa Salad
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
The fun thing about salads is that you can mix and match them with fruits. Don't be afraid to add chopped mangoes or oranges to your bowl for a hint of sweetness. Pair it with lime or lemon juice to accentuate the flavours in your meal. It's like a little party for your taste buds!
10. Apple Salad with Nuts & Peanut Butter Dressing
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
Sometimes it's the most unlikely pairing that makes the best flavours. This apple salad with peanut butter dressing is an easy, quick, and yummy meal for any time of day!
11. Grilled Tofu Salad with Honey Soy Dressing
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
Here's a vegetarian option that doesn't require too many ingredients and won't take you long to make.
Pan-fry tofu and combine with baby spinach, rocket leaves, yellow capsicum, and cherry tomatoes. Ihsan uses soy sauce, honey, and a dash of sesame oil as the dressing. Yum!
12. Grilled Pineapple & Shrimp Salad
Image via @ihsanlikestoeat (Twitter)
Get the recipe below:
The tang of the grilled pineapple cuts through the shrimp flavour in this mouth-watering salad. By adding Cajun spice and chilli powder, it gives the meal that added kick of spice! Sweet, savoury, and spicy all rolled into one to make a flavourful meal. You'll be sure to want seconds.
