While I was busy visualizing on a particular type of salad recipe to make, I decided to head over to the supermarket, grabbed as much fresh vegetables as possible I could lay my hands on and headed straight over to the kitchen. Because I wanted something a little bit different from my regulars, I felt that the only way out is to pair as many available fresh vegetables as possible for a quick but yet a delicious salad.
And there you go----I made for myself a refreshing and nutritious big bowl of cucumber, lettuce, tomato, basil and parsley salad that perfectly soothed my tastebud. With the final outcome smiling gracefully in front of me, I applauded myself that I took a brilliant step by allowing my instinct to do the task of coming up with an amazing and quickest option of getting this delicious salad ready.
Well, it is not as if it was difficult for me to find the salad ingredients, Nope! they seem to be easily available everywhere, both the high street shops, supermarkets, farmers markets etc but it is slightly challenging to come up with a unique recipe that can still perfectly fit the bill anytime, anywhere. I wanted a salad recipe that is full of fresh vegetables, easy-to-make and yet uncommon from what I frequently make for the family and I'm glad I did it.
Well, I am happy to say that this salad quite satisfied my need and this is just one thing I admire so much about cooking; that sense of creativity whereby one can easily come up with an amazing combinations of ingredients that can WOW anyone with how wonderful they will turn out to be. Just pairing a couple of fresh vegetables, spicy ingredients that are easily available and then creating a bowl of fresh salad dish that just works for me.
Well, I have no doubt that it will also work for you, once you give it a try!!! Topping off the salad with some pumpkin seeds is more like the icing on the cake! I think the pumpkin seeds were just a perfect accompaniment that made the salad absolutely delicious, crunchier and yummiliiciousssss. No doubt this is one salad recipe I believe I'll make over and over and over againnnnnnn!!!
Honestly, while this salad is pretty easy to make, the only tedious task was the long trip to the supermarket to grab several fresh vegetables and ingredients I don't normally have on hand, but it was a trip that totally worth my time. Little gem lettuce, colourful mix of tomatoes, pumpkin seeds, cucumber, fresh parsley leaves and basil leaves all paired together for a beautiful union. Drizzled with a flavourful dressing that comprises of garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley leaves and a little bit of water, ALL YUMMY!!! The crunchy outcome came from the little gem lettuce and the pumpkin seeds and just the thought of them makes me salivate. I give this salad recipe 5/5 ratings; Just give it a try and you will NEVER feel disappointed.
Apart from the delicious aspect of this salad, what about the nutritive side of it? Well, this salad is an ALL ROUNDER! The awesome combination of nutrients and minerals from these vegetables are all what our bodies dearly need for healthy functioning.
For example; cucumber is an excellent source of water and provides us with an excellent combination of nutrients and vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, potassium, flavonoids, lignans, dietary fiber and cucurbitacins. Parsley is also a rich source of vitamin C, flavonoids, carotenoid, vitamin A and iron. Basil contains vitamin C, vitaminA, iron and flavonoids while tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin E, dietary fiber, manganese, protein, vitamin C, iron, calcium, vitamin B6, magnesium and beta-carotene. Lettuce is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, dietary fiber, copper, protein and potassium.
Pumpkin seeds are a very rich source of potassium, phosphorus, dietary fiber, manganese, saturated fat, protein, zinc, iron, copper, calcium and magnesium. Besides, they also contain avenasterol, phytosterols, sitostanol and beta-sitosterol. Evidently speaking, this salad has a blend of nutritious minerals, nutrients and phytonutrients that are all essential to our health, so I highly recommend it.
But this is definitely not a rigid recipe so if you don't have all the vegetables, just go ahead and use some other vegetables but let those veggies be fresh because you want to gain all the nutrients and vitamins they provide. Besides, you want your salad to be crunchy, tasty and nutritious, which you will never get from wilted vegetables. So just have a tweak of fresh vegetables and enjoy some yummy, yummier and yummiest salad dish.
Trying out different salad dressings would also be super fun to play around with. Since cooking is just a fantastic way to share your imaginations, why not go ahead and make yourself and people around you VERY HAPPY!!!:D
I would definitely love to hear your thoughts about this salad recipe! Feel free to share your opinions in the comment box and I hope you enjoy this salad!
Loads of Love from Blessing :D
Ingredients:
- 2 little gem lettuce
- 1 pack mix of tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin seeds
- 1 cucumber
- 15 g pack fresh parsley leaves
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 garlic clove crushed
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 x 31g basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions:
- Wash all the vegetables and add in a colander to drain excess water.
- Halve the cucumber lengthways, finely slice into nice shapes and set aside.
- Roughly cut the little gem lettuce, halve the tomatoes and set aside.
- Cut 3/4 of the flat-leaf parsley leaves and the basil leaves into halves as well.
- Now combine all the cut vegetables in a clean bowl, gently toss the salad and then scatter over the pumpkin seeds.
- To prepare the dressing, add the garlic, olive oil, water, lemon juice and the remaining parsley leaves, in a blender.
- Blend the mixture until the dressing has reached a pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the salad dressing over the salad and serve immediately.
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