Mix it up!

Think salads have to be bland and boring? These inspiring combinations from around the world will make you think again

Think salads have to be bland and boring? These inspiring, colourful combinations will make you think again

G one are the days when salads would barely touch the sides, better suited as a starter or a side.

Caesar, Cobb and Niçoise are far from the only options on offer, with many people getting far more ambitious with tastes, textures and flavours in a bid to keep healthy eating exciting and varied. Around the World in Salads by Katie and Giancarlo Caldesi was inspired by Giancarlo’s diabetes and glutenin tolerance, but you don’t have to be keeping an eye on your health to enjoy these mouthwatering dishes. And just because the recipes – such as Vietnamese Roasted Duck with Five Spice Fruit Salad – seem extravagant, that doesn’t mean they’re a pain to put together. The 120 recipes packed in this book are simple, unique and tasty – we promise. The couple’s visits to the USA, Vietnam and Sri Lanka and reading blogs from around the world encouraged them to experiment with different ingredients. They’ve done the hard work for us!

And if you thought salads weren’t filling, you’ve been doing it wrong. ‘Too many times a salad is simply lettuce, chunks of cucumber and unripe tomatoes, either plain or served with a processed dressing,’ says Katie. ‘Real salad is far from this. It doesn’t have to be complicated and should always be a delight to eat.’ If you’re used to much denser meals, Katie recommends starting with small steps by introducing veg into every meal. Katie also suggests keeping a good bottle of extra virgin olive oil in your cupboard – ‘it makes everything taste delicious’ – and toasted almonds or garlicky breadcrumbs for texture.