6 Refreshing Summer Salad Recipes to Beat the Heat!

feta cheese

🥗Healthier: goat cheese

💰Cheaper: ricotta cheese

Goat cheese offers a tangy flavor with fewer calories.

balsamic vinegar

🥗Healthier: apple cider vinegar

💰Cheaper: red wine vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is lower in calories and adds a fruity note.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has a high smoke point and is heart-healthy.

fresh basil

🥗Healthier: spinach

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Spinach adds nutrients while dried herbs are budget-friendly.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).

Peel the potatoes and sweet potato. Cut the sweet potato into chunky pieces and the potato into smaller cubes so they finish cooking around the same time. Place in a mixing bowl, drizzle with olive oil, add salt and pepper, and toss until evenly coated. Place on a parchment paper lined baking tray and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.

Dice the zucchinis into chunky pieces (no need to peel). Add them to the mixing bowl. Trim the bell peppers and cut into squares, then add to the bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and toss the vegetables in the bowl.

After 20 minutes, remove the tray from the oven and place the softer vegetables on top. Spread them out evenly and return the tray to the oven for another 10 minutes.

Dice the tomatoes and place them in the same mixing bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Remove the tray from the oven and scatter the tomatoes on top. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes, then leave to cool.

For the dressing, combine balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, and olive oil. Mix well using a whisk.

Once the vegetables have cooled down but are still warm, add them to the dressing and mix well until each piece is nicely coated. To plate up, place a few washed lettuce leaves on the bottom of a serving plate and spoon the vegetables on top.

For the halloumi cheese, place a non-stick frying pan on high heat. Cut the cheese into cubes and place in the pan. Toss a few times until the cheese browns on each side. Be careful as it can burn fast. Place over the salad just before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

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Dietary

Allergens