Crunchy Winter Salad

EVENT: FOODIEMONDAY/BLOGHOP

THEME: #228 WINTER DELIGHTS

WINTER FOOD

Depending in which part of the world you are, winter food can vary according to the climate. A little nip in the air and one can crave for warm salads, hot soups, stews, piping hot daals and rice, hot parathas for breakfast or even comforting drinks. I love countries where one can enjoy food according to the seasons. Mombasa, really doesn’t give us that opportunity as its always hot. While we are enjoying a bit of the cold weather in Bangalore, soups and hot meals dominate our table. However, one really shouldn’t neglect the fact that salads, during winter provides you with the essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

SOME WINTER VEGGIES AND FRUITS

• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Brussel Sprouts
• Squash/Pumpkin
• Potatoes
• Beet/Beetroot
• Onions
• Carrots
• Turnips
• Sweet Potato
• Citrus Fruits like oranges, tangerines
• Pomegranate
• Radish
• Kale
• Celery
• Kiwi
• Pears
• Apples
• Greens like spinach, fenugreek, amaranth etc

The list is endless depending where you are.

WINTER FOODS THAT I ENJOY

My favorite whenever I see succulent white radish with fresh leaves on it, is to prepare Moora Ni Bhaji and enjoy it with hot rotis.  For Sunday brunches its Mooli ka paratha with some pickle and hot masala tea. Soups tend to feature a lot during the cold season and spicy Carrot Soup is very comforting. A comforting khichdi with lots of vegetables in it like my Vrindavan Khichdi is the ultimate comfort food. Sipping on hot Raab or Millet porridge tends to fight off colds, provides energy and is filling. This time I made some homemade Hot Chocolate Spicy Mix and sipping on hot chocolate while watching telly is so satisfying and cozy.

FoodieMonday/Bloghop Group:

While the day can be pretty warm in Bangalore, evenings tend to turn cold. Therefore, when  Priya suggested  Winter Delights I was pretty delighted.  Delighted as I get to showcase that salads are not only for summer but warm salads can be enjoyed during winter.  Before we get into the recipe for the warm Crunchy Winter Salad, I’d like you to check out her Thai Pineapple Salad which I’d love to enjoy but would grill the pineapple. With peas and fenugreek in abundance during winter, I have to try Priya’s Fenugreek and Green Peas Gravy (Methi Matar Malai).

Winter Ingredients in My Crunchy Winter Salad

• Beetroot is definitely the star –  winter root.
• Fresh lemon juice to add the tang.
• Pomegranate – to add extra crunch and healthiness.
• Fresh dill – for that awesome flavour
• Spring onion – what can be more tasty then fresh spring onion
• Roasted Buckwheat groat – to make the salad filling
• Turmeric – to ward off winter infections

Dietary Tips:

• Its Gluten free as buckwheat is not wheat but a seed of a flowering plant related to sorrel and rhubarb.
• Its vegan
• For a Satvik friendly salad avoid adding spring onion

CRUNCHY WINTER SALAD

Serves 2 as a main meal or 4 as a starter

1 medium beetroot

½ cup pomegranate arils

½ cup roasted buckwheat

1 cup bean sprouts

¼ tsp turmeric powder

8-10 cherry/ plum tomatoes, cut into halves

¼ cup pine nuts, lightly roasted

¼ cup chopped spring onion

2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

¼ cup dried mixed berries or raisins

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp pink salt or any salt of your choice

½ tsp pepper powder

1. Mix roasted pine nuts, roasted buckwheat groats, chopped tomato, dill,  mixed dried berries, pomegranate,spring onion, pepper, salt, olive oil and lemon juice.
2. Mix well and keep it on the side.
3. Peel and boil a medium beetroot.
4. In the meantime boil about 2 cups water in another pan.
5. Add the bean sprouts and let it cook till the water comes to a slight boil again.
6. Take the pan off the heat.
7. Cut the warm beetroot into small cubes and add it to the mixture.
8. Drain out the water from the bean sprouts, sprinkle turmeric powder and mix well.
9. Add the warm bean sprouts to the salad mixture.
10. Toss the salad gently and serve it warm.

Tips:

• Its quite difficult to keep beetroot and bean sprouts warm before serving, so best to serve the salad immediately or warm them up again  in the microwave oven or saute in a pan with little olive oil.
• Add fresh herbs of your choice instead of dill.
• Add some grated hard cheese of your choice like perocino or parmesan.

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A little request:

If you do try this recipe then please either

• add a comment below,
• send a picture to my email mayuri.ajay.patel62@gmail.com
•  tag me as #mayuri_jikoni on Instagram
• or tag me on Twitter as #Mayuri1962