Cooking

Ever heard about a house made out of salad ingredients

Here it is!! The moment we’ve all been waiting for; to see if I could actually meet the challenge and make a house out of salad ingredients.

What do you think? I made it for you, so would love to hear your thoughts. As you can see, I tried to make it as colourful as I could! It collapsed several times before I could grab the camera and take a photo. With these colours on hand alongside a big bowl of fruits that I had just picked from a nearby orchard (see picture) I decided to concoct a collection of my favourite summer salads to beat the Australian heat.

In my opinion, the added sweetness of fruit to a mixture of other fresh, local and seasonal salad ingredients wins the hearts my dinner guests’ every time. For example, an Italian spinach salad gets its flavours from blood oranges while the cranberry, for such a small fruit, delivers a big splash of flavour and colour over a green salad.

The subtle sweetness of blueberries is an unexpected addition to a salad of peppery arugula. And have you ever tried honey tangerines with kumquats, walnuts and shaved celery? The combination of walnuts, cheese, and refreshing citrus makes this a fine after-dinner palate cleanser. Of course you can also add apple and pear to the plate.

What about red grapefruit? The most delicious salads I have eaten lately have included grapefruit, goat cheese and bitter greens for a trio of pleasantly contrasting flavours and textures. I also have to mention the wondrous pomegranate. Not only are the beads delicious when frozen, but this super-food is also divine in a quinoa salad with golden raisins.

A friend made a “taco salad” for me the other day; a scrumptious combination of beef with a yoghurt-laced with lime juice, jalapeno and cilantro dressing, topped with fresh mango slices to add a splash of colour. There is so much you can do with colour, so have a go and post your favourites here. I dare you!

Enjoy your salads! Louise.

Join Louise on a journey through the seasons with salad ingredients, old traditions and popular, exotic or unusual vegetables. From Paddock to Plate founder, author, food writer, radio journalist & yoga teacher.