Salad

Mix And Match Salads

I recently subscribed for a weekly delivery from Green Earth Organics, a cool company based in Galway who grow organic fruit and vegetables.

The quality is much better than what you find in supermarkets. It’s convenient, healthy, and you feel good about supporting a local, ethical business.

But really, it’s all about the flavour. The produce from Green Earth Organics is just so damn good. Eating a stick of their celery is almost like eating candy. Every mandarin has been perfectly ripe and juicy, and don’t even get me started on their sweet sweet sweet potatoes.

The boxes pose a fun cooking challenge. It has pushed me to use produce that I wouldn’t ordinarily buy. I like romanesco and swede but when I first opened the box and saw them I had no idea how to use them.

This week I made three slaw-style salads. I used the same base and toppings and riffed on the main components. I love having a big dish of something like this in my refrigerator. It stops unhealthy snacking and makes me feel like my house is a cool vegan deli.

ONE – BASE

For the base of each slaw you need :

1 red onion

1 apple

apple cider vinegar

Finely chop the apple and onion.  Then leave them to macerate in some apple cider vinegar. This helps the onion to mellow out and stops the apple from turning brown. It also adds sharpness.

TWO – BODY

For the main body, you can use whatever you like.

I made one with just broccoli, finely sliced in the food processor.

I did another with beetroot and carrot.

And a third with broccoli, kale and roasted sweet potato.

THREE – TOPPING

To finish you need an element of crunch. On two of the salads I used toasted walnuts. On the broccoli and kale I felt very smug and waste free. I toasted pumpkin seeds in some olive oil and salt that I would have thrown away otherwise.

I also add another hit of sweetness by sprinkling over some dried fruit – either raisins or cranberries.

FOUR – DRESSING

For the dressing you need :

3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

spoonful each of mustard and honey

Maldon salt to taste

Whisk them all together and pour all over the vegetables, making sure to coat well.

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