PASTA SALAD

I love salads and these pasta salads are my favourite for it's simplicity and taste. These salads are kept on all the buffets these days! As usual, I wanted to re-create that at home just by tasting and without finding out what actually goes in. I usually do such experiments at home, sometimes, it's a hit and at times it's a miss. Don't worry! I share only the hit ones here.

Here's my recipe for the pasta salad, try it out and I'm sure you'll love it. It's a cold salad, so chill it before you serve. Also, do add your favourite seasoning or veggies to it if you prefer.

INGREDIENTS

Pasta - 100 gms (I've used Penne)

Fresh cream - 1 tbsp

Eggless Mayonnaise - 1 tbsp

Cherry Tomatoes - 5

Fresh Basil - 3 leaves

Celery - 1 tbsp finely chopped

Freshly ground black pepper - a pinch 

Salt

METHOD

Boil pasta with enough water and salt. Add a drop of oil to prevent from sticking together. Make sure you don't over cook them. Once done, run under cool water. Add all the ingredients except cherry tomato and give a good mix. Finally add the cherry tomatoes and give a light mix. Chill and serve!

Note

If you don't have cherry tomatoes, then use 1/4 tsp tomato sauce to give a tangy and sweet taste. Use not more than 1/4 tsp otherwise it'll alter the whole taste. 

TOMATO AND SPROUT SALAD

I was looking to make a salad and the only ingredient I had was tomato and luckily found some sprouted green gram too! So the chef in me said why not put them together with a dash of olive oil and a pinch of pepper and salt. Here's the recipe to my tomato and sprout salad with a twist ;)

INGREDIENTS

To make a small bowl of salad for one person

Tomato - 1 (cut into 1 inch pieces)
Sprouted green gram - a handful
Rusk - 2
Olive oil - 1 tbsp
Lemon juice - 2 drops
Salt and Pepper as per taste
Chopped coriander leaves for garnish if you prefer

METHOD

Add the chopped tomato pieces and sprouted green gram to a bowl. The twist in this salad recipe is adding sweet rusk. Yes, rusk!! Break the rusk into 2 inch pieces. I've used sweet rusk here but it can be tried with any kind of rusk. Flavoured rusk may change the taste of the salad so refrain from using that unless you like it. Add the rusk pieces to the tomatoes and sprouts along with a tbsp of olive oil. Give it a good mix. Add 2 drops of lemon juice and the required salt and pepper. I've used white pepper for this salad. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves. The crunchiness of sprouted green gram and the sweetness of rusk mixed in the juice of tomato and olive oil makes it tasty. Try this simple and healthy salad and you're sure to love it.

PEAS AND POTATO SALAD

INGREDIENTS

Boiled Potatoes - 2 (cut into small cubes)
Boiled peas - 1/2 cup
Mayonnaise - 3 tbsp
Fresh cream- 1 tbsp
Salt and Pepper as per taste
Chopped Coriander leaves (optional)

METHOD

In a bowl, add the potatoes, peas and mayonnaise. Give it a good mix. Add the fresh cream and required salt and pepper. Adjust the mayonnaise and cream quantity as per your requirement. Finish with chopped coriander leaves. It can also be served cold.

Note
*Add salt while boiling potatoes and peas
*I've used white pepper for this salad

SPROUTED GREEN GRAM SALAD

Like other beans, green gram is a rich source of low-fat protein and contains no trans or saturated fats. It is packed with nutrients and this preparation makes it delicious to eat.

Ingredients

Sprouted green gram- 1 cup

Onion (chopped) - ½ cup

Tomatoes (chopped) - ¼ cup

Carrots (grated) - ¼ cup

Lemon juice- 1 tbsp

Cumin/jeera pwd- ½ tsp

Salt and pepper

Method

Mix the sprouts, onion, tomato and carrots in a bowl. Add lemon juice, jeera pwd, salt and little pepper. Mix well.