Warm Salads - An Instant Meal

It is the in between season, here - in the southern hemisphere - it is warming up and moving towards summer, for those in the northern side of the globe - a time for warming soups and wholesome dishes.

No matter the season, I love that combination of conventional raw ingredients with some warm roast veggies and a protein source to give the salad the heft of a meal and longer satiety.

Here is a salad I made today.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 a butternut squash (or small whole)

• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (mine is from Gewürshaus spices)

• 1 packet of organic Haloumi cheese

• A variety of washed green leaves - I used purple lettuce with sautéd kale

• herbs: dill, parsley and coriander, chopped

• 2-3 green onions, finely sliced

For the dressing (measurements are approximate)

• Olive oil - 2-3 Tablespoons

• Roasted Sesame Seed Oil - 1 Tablespoon

• Coconut Aminos - 1 Tablespoon (to add a little umami sweetness)

• lemon juice - 2 Tablespoons

• 1 small clove of garlic

Method:

• Peel and cut butternut into small cubes, sauté it in a little macadamia oil (or other oil of your choice), cover with lid after turning and let it steam until soft (about 15 minutes), turning a few more times to ensure even cooking

• Dry Haloumi cheese on paper towel until as much moisture as possible is removed. Cut it into cubes like the butternut. Fry in about a tablespoon of olive oil till it starts to brown, make sure to toss it so that all sides cook evenly and do not burn (about 5-7 minutes). You have to watch it, because the cheese can burn very quickly.

• Lay a bed of a variety of greens on a dish - as much as you fancy, add the pumpkin and the Haloumi, sprinkle with herbs and green onions.

• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a bowl or bottle, whisk or shake and pour over your warm salad.

  Enjoy!

• For a vegan option - drop the Haloumi and add gently pan fried walnuts or pecan nuts sprinkled with salt.

• If you have tried it, I’d love to hear your comments below.

• If you are stuck in a food rut and wish to improve your health, consider one-on-one coaching with me.