My favourite Greens | 2 bonus tried & tested salad recipes

Vegetables and me are not best friends. Especially if they are raw.

Only few types of salads excite me and if I'm really into them I would shamelessly ask for the recipe.

One of them, need no asking as it's pretty easy to do. I had it first at Bateel - a Dubai-born cafe specialising in dates. It uses very simple ingredients and 6 years old Dates Balsamic vinegar which I purchased at Bateel. I love halloumi that is served with it. Halloumi cheese makes it chewy and tasty and it makes me think I'm eating chicken hehe.

ARUGULA & HALLOUMI SALAD

All you need are :

A bunch of arugula salad leaves (known here as gerger and comes cheap)
Cherry tomatoes sliced into halves
Halloumi Cheese (sliced and pan fry with a little olive oil so it doesn't stick to the pan)

For the dressing
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
6 years old Dates Balsamic Vinegar

Just toss them all up. Served chilled.

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Next is another type of salad but this time, the leaves doesn't come cheap. But it was sooo good when I first tasted it, I couldn't wait to make it to have it again! It has few new ingredients I never had before so off to Spinneys I went for them. I don't regret it. The Quinoa which costs an arm and a leg is good for several servings so I forgive myself for that. Yesterday I got my very first box of organic supplies - how wonderful to receive a package of locally organically grown vegetables right at my doorstep! Check out www.goorganic.me if you are in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. They gave me a few pieces of kales leaves and I was so making this salad. They also gave me a few new vegetables that I never bought before - reminds of those masterchef cooking competition - the surprise box with odd ingredients? What am I going to do with radishes and turnips? I have yet to figure out yet, but anyway here is the recipe -


Kale & Quinoa Salad recipe :

KALE & QUINOA SALAD

Ingredients

A bunch of Kale (Sliced thinly)

Quinoa (1/2 cup washed and cooked with water like you would with rice)

Walnuts (optional)

Dried Apricots (this is the teaser, it is a key player for the outcome of this salad)

Spring onions (sliced just a few strands)
Pomegranate (optional)

Feta cheese (crumbled)

The dressing goes like this 

Wholegrain mustard (1 teaspoon)

Avocado (Very ripes ones, 2 tablespoons)

Lemon juice (to taste, a wedge or two would do it)

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper
A bit of apple cider vinegar (optional)
Honey (1 tsp)

Mix all the dressing together and give it a good whipping. Add the kale, quinoa and the rest of the ingredients and toss it around. Chill it for a bit before serving. You'll love it :D It's almost a full meal with the Quinoa acting as the carb agent. I love this with just bread and butter served on the side.


There you go. Some healthy recipes for the win!