A ‘Warm Winter Salad’ doesn’t sound particularly exciting but you know what I mean, it’s not a cold salad, it’s a hearty warm one and I love winter salads as a mini break from soups and casseroles! Or you can enjoy any of these as a side to a hot dish, as personally I do love a salad soup combination, anyone else? On chillier days, I’m thinking you might be probably craving something fresh and crunchy to have alongside a hot meal so these vibrant winter warming salads tick all the boxes and star seasonal veg and cupboard ingredients too.
If you’re after more delicious veggie sides then head here.
Hot Halloumi & Fennel Salad
This Hot Halloumi, Fennel and Apple Salad is a perfect combination. Even in the Winter, you’re probably craving something fresh and crunchy so this salad ticks the boxes. The fennel, apple, leaves and herbs make for the refreshing half and then the chickpeas and halloumi are fried up with spices and a touch of maple syrup to make them a bit sticky and sweet. If you’ve got any apples turning a little brown, then add them in to this to stop them going to waste. Make this vegan by skipping out the halloumi and upping the chickpeas.
Red Cabbage & Quinoa Festive Salad
You know I love a good *leftovers lunch* to minimise food waste in the household. And this Red Cabbage Quinoa Salad has a certain wow factor about it too, that might just impress any unexpected guests during the festive season. There’s just something so satisfying about creating a whole new dish out of leftovers and re-loving them. And in the Winter months, or especially around the festive season, there always seems to be a lot of roasted veg hanging around. So put it to good use in this salad.
Warm Squash, Parmesan & Apple Salad
This Squash, Parmesan and Apple Salad with Honey Apple Thyme Dressing is something I’ve been craving in amongst a sea of Winter soups. Sometimes a bit of crunch is just what’s needed plus I had lots of apples from my neighbour that needed using up!
Broccoli, Feta & Pink Pickled Onion Salad
This Big Broccoli, Quinoa & Feta Salad with quick pickled pink onions is ideal year round. You can roast the broccoli for extra warmth when it’s a little colder out or swap for cauliflower or whatever veg you have at home. I like this best when it’s just cooked as a warm salad but it’s great cold too.
Festive Fruity Salad
I love this salad with roasted beetroots & extra lentils as a main and it’s delicious with smoked mackerel and trout or or serve it up with your next Sunday Roast. I’ve used 1 small orange and a couple of clementines but try with satsumas, grapefruit, blood oranges and if you’re not sure how you feel about too much fruitiness in a salad, start with 1 clementine and I think you’ll fall in love with it…
Broccoli & Halloumi Salad
This Broccoli & Halloumi Salad with Lentils & a Herby Dressing to drizzle over is a firm favourite of mine. I love it year round but it’s extra delicious with warm roasted broccoli in the colder months.
Get Your Greens Quinoa Salad
This *Get Your Greens Quinoa Salad* is a properly satisfying salad in less than 30 mins. Make sure you use up the broccoli stalks too! If you run out of herbs, chop watercress/rocket/lettuce anything green goes!
Roast Cauliflower Lentil Tabbouleh
A tabbouleh is one of my favourite types of Summer ‘salad’ so I’ve made this Roasted Cauliflower and Lentil Winter version that’s hearty, full of colour and has lots of fresh herbs to keep us going through the grey months. If you’ve not roasted a cauliflower before, you’re in for a treat and make sure you include the cauliflower leaves too, which are delicious and shouldn’t be wasted!
Maple Roasted Carrot & Za’atar Salad
This maple roasted Carrot & Za’atar Festive salad is SO simple and ticks the boxes for a satisfying mix of hot/ cold, crunchy/creamy and healthy/hearty. If you’ve got other veg to use up after a big roast or Christmas feast, feel free to throw them in too and easily made vegan by leaving out the feta.
Spiced Squash & Kale Salad with Citrus Tahini Dressing
This Spiced Squash & Kale with Citrus Tahini dressing from my cookbook Eat Green, is one of my absolute favourites – the recipe is page 59 and is fantastic for working from home lunches.
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