2 summery recipes for delicious lettuce-free salads

Looking for the nutritional benefits of salads, but tired of the same old leafy lettuce and dressing? Why not switch things up for your next dinner party or even at lunchtime by trying one of these recipes for salads without greens. They're both summery and delicious!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 3 large, ripe beefsteak tomatoes, sliced 0.5 cm (1/4-in.) thick
• 50 g (1/4 c.) packed, small fresh basil leaves
• 25 g (1 oz.) fresh goat cheese, crumbled
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp.) coarse salt
• 0.5 ml (1/8 tsp.) ground black pepper
• 30 ml (2 tbsp.) extra-virgin olive oil
• 30 ml (2 tbsp.) best-quality balsamic vinegar

Prep instructions

1. Arrange the tomatoes on a platter so that the slices overlap in concentric circles.
2. Tuck the basil leaves in among the slices.
3. Crumble the goat cheese over the top and scatter the salt and pepper on top.
4. Drizzle with the oil and vinegar.
5. Serve immediately – and enjoy!

For additional nutrients, fibre and flavour, you can layer any other market-fresh, seasonal vegetables into this dish. Thinly-sliced summer squash and zucchini work particularly well (no need to cook them if you can slice them razor-thin).

Nutrients per serving: 105 calories; 9 g fat; 2 g saturated fat; 6 g carbs; 3 g protein; 2 g fibre; 3 mg cholesterol, 325 mg sodium and 28 mg calcium.

Prep time: 10 minutes (plus 45 minutes standing)
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 125 ml (1/2 c.) light, sesame-ginger dressing
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp.) toasted sesame oil
• 1 pkg. (75 g/3 oz.) ramen noodles (without the soup mix)
• 115 g (1/2 c.) snow peas, slice lengthwise into thin strips
• 115 g (1/2 c.) shredded carrots
• 1 can (225 g/8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 can (325 g/11 oz.) mandarin oranges in juice, drained
• 50 g (1/4 c.) sliced almonds

Prep instructions

1. Mix the dressing and sesame oil in a medium-size serving bowl.
2. Put the ramen in a ziplock plastic bag and crush it into small pieces with a heavy skillet. Add to the bowl.
3. Mix together the ramen and dressing, cover, and let stand at room temperature for about 45 minutes until the liquid is mostly absorbed, stirring now and then.
4. Add the snow peas, carrots, water chestnuts and oranges to the bowl. Scatter on the almonds.
5. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for up to two days and serve cold.

Nutrients per serving: 201 calories; 6 g fat; 0 g saturated fat; 30 g carbs; 5 g protein; 6 g fibre; 0 mg cholesterol, 498 mg sodium and 32 mg calcium.

Leafy green salads will always have their place in your healthy diet, but when you're craving something different, these two lettuce-free salads are a tasty alternative.