5 Tasty And Healthy Salad Recipes For Moms

5 Tasty And Healthy Salad Recipes For Moms

Being a mom means keeping up with your children – physically and intellectually. To match your children’s unbounded energy, you need to keep fit and stay healthy. The only way to do this is by eating well. Incorporating salads in your meals will keep you feeling light and take care of your nutritional requirements keep too. Salads are also perfect for those of us who are watching our weight. Let’s take a look at these easy and healthy salad recipes for moms.

Salads need not be the same old slices of cucumber and tomatoes. Our healthy salad recipes include a wide variety of ingredients in unique combinations with delicious dressings. Once you try these healthy salad recipes for moms, you will want to replace your entire meals with these salads.

5 Tasty And Healthy Salad Recipes For Moms

#1. Macaroni Salad

Who said salads are only raw veggies? Adding some macaroni pasta to this salad elevates the taste of this and makes it a complete, filling meal too.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • Elbow macaroni – 250 gms
  • Carrots – 2, shredded
  • Onion – 1, chopped finely
  • Green Capsicum – 1/2, chopped finely
  • Red Capsicum – 1/2, chopped finely
  • Yellow Capsicum – 1/2, chopped finely
  • Cherry tomatoes – 1/2 cup, halved
  • Black Olives – 1/2 cup, sliced

For the dressing:

  • Mayonnaise – 1 cup
  • White vinegar – 2 tablespoons
  • Mustard – 1 tablespoon (for flavour)
  • Sugar – 1 tablespoon
  • Garlic powder – to taste
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • Cook the pasta al-dente as per the package directions. Rinse under cold water, and drain.
  • In a large bowl, stir together all the vegetables.
  • In another bowl mix all the ingredients for the dressing – Mayonnaise, White vinegar, Mustard, Sugar, Garlic powder, Salt and pepper into a smooth creamy dressing.
  • Combine pasta, vegetables, and dressing for a delicious, moist pasta salad. This salad is best served cold.
  • Since the dressing will get absorbed by the pasta and will become thick, you could make some extra dressing and stir it in when serving.

Also read: 7 Simple And Healthy Brinjal Recipes For Kids

#2. Potato Salad

Potatoes are often believed to be unhealthy. When eaten non-fried and in moderation, potatoes can be deliciously healthy. They are gluten-free and have a high content of Vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and fibre. This easy to make recipe is delicious, filling (because dog potatoes start content) and sure to be a family favourite.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • Potatoes – 5-6 medium sized, sliced into ¼-inch thick rounds
  • Onion – 1 large, finely chopped
  • Parsley – 2 tablespoons, roughly chopped
  • Jalapeños – 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional, for the tangy spicy taste)

For the dressing:

  • Extra virgin olive oil – 1/4 cup
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • Dijon mustard – 2 teaspoons
  • Garlic – 2 cloves, crushed
  • Salt and pepper to taste.

Method

  • To cook the potatoes, boil enough water in a large pan boil and add the sliced potatoes and some salt. There should be enough water to cover the potatoes by an inch.
  • Cook until the potatoes are easily pierced by a fork. This will take about 5-7 minutes.
  • Drain and keep the potatoes aside. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water.
  • To make the dressing, in a small blender, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic and freshly ground black pepper.
  • Also, add the reserved water. Process until well combined into a smooth dressing.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the boiled potatoes, onions, jalapeños, parsley and the dressing. Mix until well combined and serve cold.

#3. Chickpea salad

Chickpeas (chana or chole in Hindi) are a staple Indian diet. This salad is easy to make and comes together in minutes. It’s perfect for lunch or dinner since chickpeas are protein packed and leave you feeling satisfied for hours. Chickpea salad is also perfect for diabetics as the starch in them is digested slowly, stabilising blood sugar levels.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • Chickpeas – 2 cups, boiled or 1 can
  • Onion – 1/4 cup, chopped finely
  • Tomato – 1 cup, deseeded and chopped finely
  • Cucumber – 1 cup, chopped finely
  • Green capsicum – 1/2 cup, chopped finely
  • Black olives – 1/4 cup, sliced
  • Avocado – 1/2 cup, chopped finely (optional)
  • Fresh green coriander – 2 tablespoons, chopped finely

For the dressing:

  • Extra virgin olive oil – 2 tablespoons
  • White vinegar – 1 tablespoon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • If you are using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight and pressure cook the next morning till they are soft.
  • In a large bowl combine all the salad ingredients.
  • In another bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing. Add the dressing to the salad and your delicious and nutritious chickpea salad is ready.
  • You could add 1 or 2 tablespoons of roasted peanuts to this recipe to make it crunchier and more delicious.
  • Keep the salad refrigerated.

Also read: Fun Summer Recipes Your Kids Will Love!

#4. Green Sprouts salad

This is by far the most popular salad in Indian households. Green moong is easy to sprout at home or is now widely available in stores. Sprouted moong is low in calories, high in fibre and one of the healthiest sources of proteins and a variety of minerals like magnesium and folate. It is not just good for mothers, but diabetic friendly too.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • Green Moong sprouts – 1 cup
  • Carrot – 1, finely chopped
  • Cucumber – 1/2, finely chopped
  • Green capsicum – 1/2, finely chopped
  • Onion – 1 small, finely chopped
  • Tomato – 1, deseeded and finely chopped
  • Fresh coriander – 2 teaspoons, finely chopped

For the dressing:

  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chaat masala – 1/2 teaspoon (optional, for extra taste)

Method

  • For the salad, you could use raw moong sprouts. If you prefer your salad to be less crunchy, you could pressure cook the sprouts to now whistle only (extra whistles will make them mushy).
  • In a mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients for the salad.
  • Squeeze in the juice of a lemon. Sprinkle the salt, pepper and chaat masala and toss the salad.
  • This salad can be a complete meal for people watching their weight or can be an accompaniment to a meal.

#5. Greek Salad

This is a traditional greek salad which is popular the world over. This salad is made with surprisingly easy dressing. Enjoy it yourself or serve it to your guests to impress them with your culinary skills.

Ingredients

For the salad:

  • Cherry tomatoes – 250 gms
  • Cucumber – 1, thinly sliced thinly into half moons
  • Black olives – 1 cup, sliced
  • Onion – 1/2, thinly sliced
  • Feta cheese – 3/4 cup

For the dressing:

  • Red wine vinegar – 2 tablespoons
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon
  • Extra virgin olive oil – 1/4 cup
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method

  • To make the salad in a large bowl stir together tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and red onion. Gently fold in feta.
  • Don’t stir in the feta as it will crumble completely.
  • In a small bowl make the dressing by combining vinegar, lemon juice, and oregano and season with salt and pepper. Slowly add olive oil, whisking to combine.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Your healthy salad is ready.
  • This salad is best eaten cold.

Also read: The Ultimate Guide To Oatmeal: Benefits, Risks And Recipes

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