Salad Season
By DCNI
Mixed leaf salad selections provide variety of colour, texture and flavour when served as an accompaniment to a summer meal. Although we tend to eat salads more frequently in the summer, there is certainly growing interest in the use of the wide selection of salad vegetables available all year round.
Salad leaves piled loosely on brunchetta with shavings of cheese and a drizzle of dressing, make a simple and easily
prepared starter. To make brunchetta take a slice of crusty bread stick for each person, toasted on both sides and rub with a cut clove of garlic.
Dressings should be light and delicately flavoured with herbs and seasoning so that they complement the dish. Dressings such as the creamy garlic dressing served with the Caesar salad can be prepared in advance and stored in a sealed jar in the fridge for several days.
Caesar Salad with creamy garlic dressing
Ingredients
1 tabsp dry mustard
1 1/2 tabsp flour
Method
1.) Combine the mustard, flour, salt and pepper. Whisk in the milk and cook until the sauce comes to the boil.
2.) Stir a small amount of the mix into the lightly beaten egg yolk, pour back into the saucepan and bring to the boil.
3.) Stir in the Worcester sauce, Tabasco, garlic, anchovy paste, red wine vinegar and olive oil.
4.) Just before serving, season with salt and pepper.
5.) Prepare the lettuce and toss in dressing, bacon and croutons.
Chicken and Avocado Salad
Ingredients
Method
1.) Boil the potatoes and cool. Cut into 1/4 pieces.
2.) Grill the bacon and chop into bite sized pieces.
3.) Mix the dressing ingredients in a bowl, the yogurt, mayonnaise and seasoning and mix in the chicken, cooled potatoes and bacon.
4.) Chop the avocado, tomato and cucumber and add.
5.) Serve on a bed of lettuce leaves.
Red Summer Salad
Ingredients
DRESSING
Method
1.) Wash and prepare the lettuce and chicory, arrange on a plate.
2.) Mix the sliced tomato, radishes, pastrami and cheese together, pile on top of the lettuce leaves.
3.) Sprinkle with chives. Mix the salad dressing ingredients together in a jar, season and drizzle over the salad.
4.) Serve remaining in a jug.
Cheese and Fruit Salad
Ingredients
Method
1.) Wash the lettuce leaves and dry.
2.) Drain the peaches and cut into bite sized pieces. Use to line four individual serving dishes.
3.) Mix the cottage cheese, soured cream, add the nuts, peaches and grapes.
4.) Divide into four and pile into the centre of the lettuce.
