There’s only one thing that’s better than the smell of freshly cooked burgers in the summer – and that’s cooling off with a refreshing salad! Our chefs know that sometimes, you just get the craving for a bowl of fresh veggies, along with the mixture of different tastes and textures that they provide. Here are our tips on creating the perfect salad for summer.
Cook in bulk
In hot weather, you’ll want to reduce your time spent in the kitchen rather than increase it. Therefore, preparing enough dressing at the beginning of the week to last over 7 days is economical and saves you a lot of hassle. Mix together a good amount of oil and vinegar, adding ingredients like maple syrup, honey or dijon mustard to taste. Store the dressing in a sealed container or bowl and leave in the fridge.
Add a generous helping of protein
We’re talking chicken, tuna, chickpeas and an assortment of other protein-rich ingredients, which will help balance out the carbohydrates in the salad. Any cheeses should ideally be low in fat or soy-based; fresh mozzarella also pairs beautifully with lettuce and cherry tomatoes.
Remember to include fresh herbs
Not only do herbs add colour and freshness, but they also bring an extra punch and sharp flavour to the whole dish. Consider sprinkling some basil, parsley, tarragon or mint on top of your finished salad.
Dress up your veggies
Marinate peppers and squash in a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice to really enhance the flavours and make them stand out. Adding some baby tomatoes too? Great. Throw them into a bowl filled with corn, salt, olive oil and basil and toss. Don’t be afraid to get creative; forget the rulebook and be adventurous! Dried fruit, cooked grains and nuts create a unique taste and go perfectly with a large majority of common salad ingredients.
Tip from the Hugo’s Burger chefs: Using oil in marinades allows the fats to absorb nutrients within leafy greens, such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E.
Grill up a storm
Another way of introducing more protein into your salad is by grilling the vegetables – it’s quick and easy, and enhances their natural flavours. Moreover, it provides a textural contrast and a certain kind of smokiness to the entire recipe.
If you would rather spend your summer days at the beach instead of toiling away in the kitchen, come over to Hugo’s Burger Bar and leave everything in the hands of our staff. We have three delicious salads for you to choose from: Chicken Caesar, Tuna salad and Falafel salad. Pair them with our delicious falafel bites that come in five different flavours, and treat yourself to some extra bites on the side!
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