Sexy Salads????

[EcclesCake]

Any suggestions for interesting salads for a gathering?

Will knock up a beetroot, watercress, feta and candied walnut salad with a dill and pomegranate molasses dressing.

Just trying to think of something else that won't scare the natives but is still interesting. Any ideas folk?

I've been out of the kitchen a while and my inspiration has wandered off.

[sunny-dave]

Being sensible (ahem) for a minuet ...

... the best salad I've eaten in ages was this

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g285715-d7910183-i200924823-Pausa-Tavira_Faro_District_Algarve.html

mango, orange, seared chicken, balsamic, leaves - excellent

[Islay]

Bean salad?

[Islay]

Are you throwing a dance in there too Dave?

[EcclesCake]

All pulses are the Devils own food and should be condemned to hell for eternity!

[Islay]

OK so you want fun and sexy but no meat and no pulses
Just serve a bunch of baby leaves up drizzle with oil and let it be

[DTCwordfan]

the oysters tempura may be really nice, Eccles, with a wee light green frisée salad and a little sharp dressing, a lemon vinaigrette perhaps?

[EcclesCake]

I'll overlook your tetchiness Islay!

The mention of mango has got me thinking of making a spicy mango salsa. Could be a nice accompaniment to burgers, chicken and fish.

[DTCwordfan]

red peppers, red onion and a wee bit of chilli in there, as well....yum.

[Islay]

Lol OK Eccles

I do a mango and melon and chilli salsa and serve it with spicy chicken
a simple tomato salad using vine tomatoes that are full of flavour would be good

[FrillyPancake]

I do what my other half calls 'frillys' salad..
Sundried tomatoes, olives, cous cous, pickled gherkins, red onion, peppers, pickled mini beetroot slices, many many leaves mainly the baby leaf variety pre packed but nothing frilly lol, ie those sour leaves....
Feta lots off, then a dressing with lemon olive oil Dijon mustard salt and pepper whisked till creamy then top with a hard boiled egg or 4.....delish!!!!
Xxx

[FrillyPancake]

Oh forgot to say .... strawberries and kiwi if I have it goes great with this too x

[mccfluff]

i really like watermelon and feta with black olives, its looks really good and tastes awesome

[EcclesCake]

Mr Cake would get in a right huff if I made watermelon, feta and olive, he's not a fan of any of those ingredients and will already have a cob on about the beetroot salad.

We'll be taking them to a neighbours where rice and pasta salad and other salads smothered in mayo are likely to reign much to his horror.

A friend has reminded me about a spicy pineapple salsa I make which may be better than mango as it is easier to get a ripe pineapple than it is mango.

[shivvy]

This is really easy but super tasty . . . https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/prawns-and-melon.html

[shivvy]

Sorry - have just spotted that you want a veggie recipe.
I make this one a lot . . . http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/black-bean-taco-salad-with-lime-vinaigrette
I know it says to include chicken but my other half is veggie and so I leave the chicken out and it is fine without it.

[shivvy]

Oh, and this one is really moorish . . . http://www.food.com/recipe/lettuce-wraps-with-tahini-dressing-139852
And it is nice to serve the mix in baby gem lettuce leaves so that it is nearly fingerfood.

[Barmaid]

I reckon you cant beat a very simply beefsteak tomato, basil and red onion salad with grindings of black pepper.

[shivvy]

And if you are going to a barbeque then this salad goes really well with grilled meat - especially lamb chops/cutlets . . .

Broad bean and feta salad (Serves 4-6)

500g frozen baby broad beans
extra-virgin olive oil
juice of ½ lemon
sea salt and black pepper
3 spring onions, trimmed and finely sliced diagonally
6 tbs coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
200g feta, crumbled
50g rocket leaves (optional)

Bring a large pan of water to the boil and cook the broad beans according to the packet instructions. Drain into a colander and leave for a few minutes for the water to evaporate. Toss the hot beans in a bowl with the 6 tbs of olive oil, the lemon juice and some seasoning and leave to cool.

Toss in the spring onions and two-thirds of the parsley. Scatter the feta and remaining parsley over the top and splash over a little more oil. The salad is good to eat for some time, but it will absorb the dressing after several hours, so you may want to add a little more oil just before serving.

You can also toss a few rocket leaves into the salad or serve it scattered over a few dressed leaves.

[EcclesCake]

I think I my go with something along the lines that Barmaid has suggested, heritage tomatoes and burrata.

It's not wildly exciting but at least I know there will be some for Mr Fussy Britches to eat!