Salad Days…..

In a desperate attempt to be a little healthier, (upon discovery that my ‘active’ holidays have caused me to gain 7lbs!), we have been eating more wisely and I’m feeling loads better for it.  Think I will also be hotfooting back to my local WeightWatchers meeting – a wonderful crutch in times like these. Jon suggested the first one… a California style salad – great for Abbie as she could pick the bits that she wanted and leave those she is not keen on, which happens at the moment to be avocado. The second is a deconstructed type of Nicoise salad… great for picking at in front of ‘Total Wipeout’, which is indeed when it was served! Abbie’s eating has been turned upside-down since turning 4… don’t know whether anyone else has this experience. She is still happy to try anything, but has become more fussy in general… chicken is back on the menu after a long dislike, avocado and cabbage are now shunned. Flat and shell pasta is also a no-no – my Mum cut her lasagne into ribbons and said ‘there, now you have tagliatelle!’… it was eaten with no fuss. I guess this is all just part of her striving to be more independent.

Anyway, back to those lovely salads..

Abbie contemplates which parts of the salad to eat first

California Salad – serves 3, would serve 2 adults & 2 children

2 chicken breasts (poached for 10mins in chicken stock), 2 large ripe tomatoes, 1 ripe avocado (skin and stone removed), 1 Granny Smith apple (cored), 1 orange (take of rind and pith), grapes

• Slice chicken breast on the diagonal and arrange in a line across a platter
• Thinly slice tomatoes, avocado, apple; arrange in lines under the chicken
• Cut orange into segments and grapes into halves – again arrange in lines
• Serve like this; everybody helping themselves
• Dressing for this salad is made from; 1/4 cup orange juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1/4 tsp salt, grinds of pepper

I have to admit I was not looking forward to this, but it was truly delicious and you feel absolutely virtuous afterwards!!

Deconstructed Nicoise

Deconstructed Nicoise Salad

So easy to make – watercress with a little balsamic vinegar over the top, tuna steak from a tin, cooked green beans, boiled new potatoes and a few olives.  We ate this with some doughballs and garlic butter – currently on a great 10 pound offer at the supermarket giant we all love/hate! Great TV dinner… shame we were watching Total Wipeout!!

A spring picnic – inspired by the sunshine……

As I drove home from school last night, the sun was shining and casting a glow over beautiful North Norfolk.  Daffodils lined the road and the world was a wonderful place…..  inspiration to buy sunny foods for our Saturday picnic.

We feasted on melon and air-dried ham (but not from Parma!), ‘holey’ cheese, olive bread and extra olives ( because Abbie loves them), Romaine lettuce and a quickly knocked-up tomato, mozarella and basil salad – see below for quick recipe…..

I think that at times this is a perfect meal for Jon, Abbie and I and this one definitely helped to put us all in a good mood – even Jon who sat sniffling all through lunch!

Tomato, mozarella and basil salad – serves 3/4 depending on other dishes

2 beef tomatoes, sliced thinly

1 ball of mozarella, sliced thinly

handful of basil leaves, torn up

Dressing made from splash of balsamic vinegar, glug of extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle of Maldon salt and good grind of pepper.

I dress the tomatoes and mix in the basil, then alternate layers of mozarella and basily tomato slices on a platter – simple, but delicious!

 Everyone’s favourite!

 Melon makes you smile!!