5 winter salads to nourish you this winter
Brrr. Can you feel that? The winter chill is here and it’s set to stay for the next few months. This usually means that our thoughts turn to comfort foods – namely roast dinners, stews and carbs. But a salad can be just as satisfying, especially if served warm.
Trust us, take a look at these warming winter salad recipes – which one will be your go-to favourite this winter?
Easy Monday night salad supper
Wondering what to do with the leftover roasted veg from yesterday’s Sunday roast? Turn it into a salad!
This winter salad recipe from Hungry Happy Healthy suggests using parsnips, potatoes, carrots and butternut squash, making it ideal for using up leftovers and avoiding food waste. The beauty is, you can use whatever roasted veg you happen to have, and spruce it all up with frozen herbs and dressing!
Kale, glorious kale
Sticking with the eco conscious theme, eating seasonally is a great way to cut down on your carbon footprint. This means making the most of the fresh produce that grows in the UK during the autumn and winter months, so that you avoid purchasing food that’s been shipped or (worse) air freighted to these shores from sunnier climes.
And nothing screams UK winter green veg better than kale! Kale can be quite bitter when eaten raw, so pop some into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and give it a massage. Knead it like dough for a few minutes to break it down to make it more palatable and easier to digest.
You can then use it to make this tasty Warm Winter Salad by Jamie Oliver. If you’re really eco aware, then choose UK grown quinoa. (Plus Necta & Hive Jarrah Honey TA 10+ is the perfect honey for this recipe!)
Pack a protein punch
Protein is essential for fuelling our bodies and providing energy – something that we might otherwise lack in the winter months. Lean protein such as chicken breast or baked salmon can be added to any of our winter salads to turn them into nutritious, filling and balanced meals.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, or you’re looking to eat less meat, then look no further than chickpeas. Super versatile, packed with plant protein and low in fat, tinned chickpeas are the star of the show in this Warm Chickpea Salad from BBC Good Food.
Roasted winter vegetables
Literally anything can be turned into a salad, as this recipe, also from BBC Good Food shows. The soft roasted squash and super sweet roasted peppers are the perfect combo. And when mixed with a homemade butter bean hummus, you’ll never want to eat out again!
It’s not winter if we haven’t mentioned brussels sprouts
Even the humble, and much debated brussels sprout can be turned into a salad. After all, they’re just a mini cabbage, and a cabbage is similar to lettuce, right…?
This Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad recipe from Love and Lemons makes use of a mandolin to create the shaved effect. But you could also use the wide side of a grater, or you can finely slice them if you’re worried about grating your fingers…
The olive oil, lemon juice and pine nuts are a winning combo, and the whole thing can be made in advance and kept at room temperature for a while so it’s ready to go when you’re hungry.
Enjoy!
