Cover A colourful salad with fresh fruits and veggies (Photo: Getty Images)
A colourful salad with fresh fruits and veggies (Photo: Getty Images)
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Enjoy the refreshing, vibrant tastes of the season while keeping cool and nourished with a summer salad
Summer is upon most of us, and with it comes the need for light, refreshing meals that keep us cool and energised. Whether you're lounging in the garden, hosting a picnic, or simply looking for a healthy yet satisfying meal, a well-crafted salad can be the perfect solution. If you live in Malaysia, however, and put up with heat waves year round, these salads should offer you some much needed respite.
With a mix of vibrant vegetables, fresh fruits, and flavourful dressings, salads are a versatile and delicious way to embrace fresh produce and eat your greens. From Mediterranean delights to Japanese-inspired creations, here are five exquisite summer salad recipes to help you beat the heat.
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Above A Mediterranean quinoa salad (Photo: Instagram / @foodiecrush)
A Mediterranean quinoa salad (Photo: Instagram / @foodiecrush)
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This hearty and Mediterranean-inspired salad combines the nutty flavour of quinoa with the fresh, tangy notes of cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and Kalamata olives. Tossed in a lemon-oregano vinaigrette and garnished with crumbled feta cheese and fresh mint, it’s a nutritious and satisfying option.
Ingredients:
200g quinoa
250g cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 red onion, finely chopped
100g Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
100g feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh mint leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Let it cool. In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Garnish with crumbled feta and fresh mint leaves before serving.
Watermelon and Feta Salad
Above Watermelon and feta cheese salad (Photo: Getty Images)
Watermelon and feta cheese salad (Photo: Getty Images)
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Sweet watermelon and salty feta cheese make a perfect pairing. This salad is brightened with fresh mint and a squeeze of lime juice, creating a simple yet delightful summer dish.
Ingredients:
500g watermelon, cubed
150g feta cheese, crumbled
Fresh mint leaves
Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine watermelon cubes and crumbled feta. Squeeze lime juice over the salad and toss gently to combine. Garnish with fresh mint leaves before serving.
Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad
Elevate your salad game with this elegant combination of grilled peaches and creamy burrata. Arugula and prosciutto add peppery and savoury notes, while a balsamic glaze ties everything together.
Ingredients:
4 ripe peaches, halved and pitted
200g burrata cheese
100g arugula
50g prosciutto
2 tbsp balsamic glaze
Instructions:
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the peach halves for 2-3 minutes on each side until charred. In a large bowl, arrange the arugula, grilled peaches, and prosciutto. Tear the burrata cheese into pieces and add to the salad. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Panzanella with Fresh Tomatoes
Above Panzanella, an Italian salad (Photo: Getty Images)
Panzanella, an Italian salad (Photo: Getty Images)
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This classic Italian bread salad is perfect for using up stale bread. Fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions are combined with toasted bread cubes and tossed in a simple vinaigrette.
Ingredients:
300g stale bread, cubed
400g tomatoes, chopped
1 cucumber, diced
1 red onion, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Spread bread cubes on a baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until golden. In a large bowl, combine toasted bread cubes, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
See also: Where to get your gelato fix in the Klang Valley
Black Rice Salad
Above A chopped salad with black heirloom rice (Photo: Getty Images)
A chopped salad with black heirloom rice (Photo: Getty Images)
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This unique salad features nutty heirloom rice, fresh herbs, and crunchy vegetables, all brought together with a light lemon and olive oil dressing.
Ingredients:
200g heirloom rice, cooked and cooled
1 cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
100g cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh parsley and mint leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
In a large bowl, combine cooked and cooled heirloom rice, cucumber, red bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and mint leaves before serving.
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