MUSHROOM, TOMATO & GRAPEFRUIT SALSA, Vegan, low-fat, no sugar

A Saucy Salsa for All Seasons...

Tomato, Mushroom and Grapefruit Salsa
'Wasn't sure about this but really liked it.' Taster

A salsas is a terrific no-sugar, low-fat accompaniment to meat and fish.  They're a bit like a relish, but chunkier and drier, usually involving salad veg, fruit and an acidic dressing. Often served as a side, salsas can also be stirred into creamy salad dressings to add a punch of flavour.  

This one, inspired by Mushrooms Canada, was developed for a recipe involving eggs and bacon (English Breakfast Salad).  It has an unusual combination of ingredients but is incredibly tasty.  It chimed perfectly with 67's Felafel Platter but proved versatile in other dishes, too.

Cost: £3.50ish (6/24)
Feeds: Several

Ingred:
   170g/6oz ripe tomato, in med dice 
   113gm/4oz mushrooms, in med dice
   a whole grapefruit, peeled, membranes removed and segmented  in med dice (with juices if poss) 
  1/3 cup/75 ml red onion, in fine dice/OR if there are children eating, a quarter cup finely chopped chives
  1 med clove garlic, finely minced or grated
  1-1.5 tsp jalapeno pepper, minced OR 1/4 tsp chilli flakes (opt)
  1 tbsp olive oil
  2 tbsp lime juice
  1 tbsp each minced fresh basil & parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
  1/8-1/4 tsp salt

Method:

WALNUT ANCHOVY CHINESE LEAVES, Vegan opt

Stunning salad with flavours and textures matching its exquisite appearance...

Purple Chinese Leaf Salad with Walnut Anchovy Dressing, Asian-style 

Here's a fabulous salad - with vegan option - that is astonishing in its physical beauty and its stunning flavours and textures.

The beautiful purple leaves are simply a novelty version of the usual pale green Chinese cabbage (also known as Chinese leaves or Napa cabbage).

The flavour and texture of the coloured Chinese leaves* are not affected by the colour; they are still super juicy and crunchy and mildly sweet.  But in this recipe they are drenched in a superb walnut dressing** studded with anchovies and given an Asian twist with ginger and flaked chillis.  That takes the salad to a stratospheric levels in terms of flavour. 

Buy good anchovies that are not saturated in salt.

A vegan version replaces the anchovies with sun-dried tomatoes or olives but you'll need at least a generous tablespoon.   Whatever you choose, this salad won't be forgotten in a hurry.

Of course, ordinary Chinese leaves will work just as well - it'll still taste superb but just won't look as pretty.


Cost: max £2.50'ish   
Serves: 4; recipe halves nicely

Ingreds:
  
Sauce
   3/4 cup walnuts
   2 oil packed anchovies drained & finely chopped OR 1 generous tablespoon sun-blush tomatoes or olives
   1/4 cup oil, ideally made up of 3/4 peanut oil, 1/4 olive oil
   finely grated med clove garlic 
   1/2inch/1cm peeled ginger, finely grated
  
   2 tbsp white wine vinegar
   zest of lemon or lime
   1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
   freshly ground pepper, a little salt
   
   1/2-1 small chilli, de-seeded, membranes removed, finely diced OR generous pinch of chilli flakes

Salad  
  Chinese leaves
  2-3 med beetroot, peeled and sliced
  4 radishes
  stick celery, peeled & finely sliced
  1/4 cup fresh parsley

Method:

1. Toast walnuts 5 mins in moderate oven; watch them carefully; they go from nicely brown to overdone in a heartbeat; cool
2. Coarsely pulse half of the walnuts, the anchovies, oil, garlic & ginger 
3. Stir in vinegar, citrus zest and juice, pepper & salt
4. Coarsely chop (or leave whole) remaining walnut pieces 
5. Arrange salad ingredients prettily on a plate, drizzle over dressing
6. Scatter over walnuts, parsley and chilli if using

***M&S £1.50
*adapted from BA magazine

Tips:

• make this go further with cooked brown rice, yellow peppers & an extra anchovy, finely sliced.  Amazing.

• the walnut sauce transforms into a gorgeous sauce for pasta; leave out the ginger, add a few fresh tomatoes sprinkled with olive oil and salt, and plenty of basil.  

More salads and vegan/vegetarian dishes on NavBar/Recipes II...

Please leave a comment in the box below

Copyright: These salads have been designed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises and may only be reproduced in home kitchens.  Not for commercial use.