Our Chefs want to prove that healthy eating and a detox January doesn’t have to mean boring, bland and tasteless food. This week, our Peach Chefs took part in a (very macho) Superfood Salad battle. The task was to create a new vegetarian Superfood Salad for our Spring menu. Below are some of the top scorers. We hope these suggestions will help you on your way to a healthy and happy 2015. Barley When you think of barley, fields & farming may come to mind. However, barley is in fact a super little grain that can slow digestion down and help weight control. Its rich nut-like flavour also makes it a tasty alternative to rice. If you fancy trying barley out for yourself, why not whip up a Broad Bean, Barley, Radish, Goats Cheese, Hazelnut and Mint Salad.
Adzuki Beans
Although adzuki beans sound as though they can only be sourced in the most exotic of locations, you can in fact find them in most high street supermarkets. This tasty bean is a nutritional powerhouse, rich in protein, fiber and folic acid. This means that as well as being a healthy option; it can also help you on your way to a healthy heart and smooth digestion! Why not give Adzuki beans a go by making an Adzuki Bean and Buckwheat Salad with Sweet Potato Noodles, Crunchy Vegetables, Toasted Seeds and a Ginger, Miso, Wasabi Dressing.
Tahini If the novelty of a green salad is beginning to wear off, we have a solution. Why not spice up your salad by adding a Tahini dressing? Although people tend to overlook salad dressings and worry about the added calories, adding this healthy alternative can transform your salad… Fact! Tahini is a paste made from ground sesame and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals! Although many people believe that nuts are the protein kings; Tahini in fact has more protein than most nuts! Go nuts and make this Wild Rice, Watermelon & Feta Salad with a healthy Tahini Dressing.
Quinoa Some people call Quinoa the superfood of the future. I cannot guarantee that the whole world will all be muching on quinoa in years to come, but I can guarantee that it’s a tasty little addition to any salad. Not only is it rich in protein, it also helps speed up the metabolism and will fill you full of energy to keep your brain and body going throughout the day! Why not get ahead of future trends by trying this Quinoa & Watercress Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Broccoli and Beetroot Marinated Feta
Avocado While avocados may be fatty, don’t let that trick you into believing that they’re bad for your health. The truth is, avocados are full of “good” fats that reduce levels of bad cholesterol in your blood and lower your risk of a stroke and heart disease. It’s never nice cutting into an avocado to find a brown slimy mess or a flesh too hard to even cut. Bear in mind that the greener the avocado, the less ripe it is. If you squeeze an avocado and it gives in to a little pressure, it’s likely to be ripe. If it’s really soft then you risk being faced with a sloppy mess. This Mediterranean Vegetable, Quinoa, Feta and Avocado Salad with an Oregano and Lime Dressing is an easy to make, no-fail recipe.
If you want to leave the prep to us, why not try one of the specially crafted Superfood Salads on our menu. If you need to fit in your January exercise, then walk or run here, we’ll have a drink ready on arrival!