As author Chantal Lascaris says, it’s time for the salad to take centre stage! Traditionally salads have been viewed as side dishes, but those featured in The Ultimate Salad Book, are anything but as they move boldly into the realm of main dishes. And nobody knows better how to achieve this than Chantal as she presents this delicious collection featuring international flavours to the South African kitchen. Although the salads are simple, they are nourishing and boast plenty of nutrient-dense ingredients including leafy green vegetables, whole grains, seafood, poultry, beans, nuts and fruit. What’s more, they can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert.
Chapters are divided into:
- Classic Salads
- 3-Ingredient Salads
- Vegetarian Salads
- Fish & Seafood Salads
- Poultry Salads
- Meat Salads
- Fruity Salads
- Dressings
This recipe book encourages the use of different ingredients. So if something is not in season, substitute it with something that is. Salads are a great way to eat colourful, nutritious food.
Recipes that caught my eye:
- Beets Three Ways (p18)
- Avocado, Artichoke and Tomato (p20)
- Mushroom, Parsley and Parmesan (p23)
- Charred Greens (p35)
- Cheesy Roast Vegetable Salad (p40)
- Zingy Roast Carrot Salad (p55)
- Pizza Salad (p60)
- Prawn Caesar Salad (p64)
- Spicy Calamari Salad (p74)
- Chicken Nacho Salad (p113)
- Sesame-coated Beef and Asparagus Salad (p127)
- Beef Tagliata (p130)
- Vietnamese Pork Salad (p141)
- Sunday Salad with Roast Beef and Potato (p145)
- Creamy Cos and Rump Salad (p153)
- Minty Mousse (p157)
What I made:
I made the carrot salad as it reminded me of Ottolenghi recipes, which I love. The roast carrots were really good even if I had to cook them twice as long as the recipe suggested. I also tried the minty mousse as I felt like an easy dessert. I made use of blueberries as that is what I had in abundance in my freezer.
My impressions:
Many of the recipes have raw onions which I am not a fan of. Dave will not eat raw onions, so all of those salads are a no-go as far as recipe testing goes. And for me, I just don’t like savoury salads with fruit. Some of the recipes included ingredients not available to us locally in South Africa, such as salmon and scallops. Both of these are imported and I prefer to steer away from them. I also find cup measurement for leafy ingredients to be hit and miss, so prefer a weight measurement. The dressing recipes are very nice and I shall turn to these in summer for inspiration.
Publishing information:
Penguin Random House South Africa sent me The Ultimate Salad Book to review.
View the previous posts on August 17:
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- 2020: Saffron Ice Cream
- 2018: Raspberry Syrup
- 2016: World Atlas Of Food
- 2015: Coconut Banana Loaf
- 2014: The Headmaster’s Wife
- 2012: Sweet Pastry
- 2011: Coriander Pesto Chicken Pasta
- 2010: Chicken With Olives And Sun Dried Tomatoes
*laughing* About a decade back I set myself a cookery book moratorium . . . the situation in my library was becoming ridiculous ! Have been pretty good . . . but then I go to my favourite Australian on-line and get seduced . . . as now !!! Spring is a’coming, am trying to reduce meat consumption, am looking for interesting ideas with which to play . . . SO !!! Well, the ‘Booktopia’ price is rather sensible,, . guess what . . . ?
Let me know if any recipes grab your fancy – I can scan them and email them to you with pleasure!
Seriously? A cup of lettuce?! That is really strange.
I agree!
this book sounds a bit hit and miss tandy. Yes i hate cup measurements too. Such a ridiculous thing in many recipes. Give me weights and measures anytime:) We eat a lot of salads, summer and winter. I beef them up (not literally) with couscous or quinoa and brown rice and a protein in winter. I like to do the Nigella thing with raw onion for salads, and marinate them sliced and in lemon or lime juice to take out the bitterness. and i use red onions which are so mild anyway … cheers!
Even treating red onions that way would not go down well in my house 🙂
I’ve never heard of Chantal Lascaris, but I 100% agree that salads should be an amazing and satisfying main dish. The list sounds delicious!
Thank you for leaving a comment Ben 🙂
When I think of salads, I always think of a green lettuce based salad. I forget how many different foods can be incorporated into a ” salad” . The roasted carrot salad looks very interesting.
It was plain and simple, which is great for weeknights 🙂