Salads, But Better: Easy Ways to Elevate Your Summer Bowl – News18
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The beauty of salads lies in their versatility—mix and match ingredients, experiment with dressings, and personalize every bowl to suit your taste
Gone are the days of plain onions and tomatoes—today, salads are a vibrant fusion of global flavors, This salad is packed with vitamin A-rich ingredients that heal the skin from the inside out. (Representational Image)
As the temperatures rise, light and refreshing meals become the go-to choice, and nothing quite hits the spot like a crisp, colorful salad. Whether you’re looking for a quick lunch or a wholesome meal, salads offer a nutritious yet delicious way to keep things cool and healthy. But how can you take your salad from basic to brilliant? By elevating flavors, textures, and nutritional value with the right ingredients and dressings.
The Power of Quality Ingredients
Vishal Gupta, Managing Director, Borges India, highlights the importance of using premium oils and vinegars to enhance both flavor and health benefits, “With summer here, light and refreshing meals take center stage. Elevating your salad bowls is not only about fresh ingredients but also about enhancing flavors and health benefits through quality oils and natural vinegars. To make salads a pleasurable part of daily diets, we encourage everyone to get creative with various greens, seasonal vegetables, and proteins, all dressed with exquisite extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and natural vinegars.”
Gone are the days of plain onions and tomatoes—today, salads are a vibrant fusion of global flavors. From Mediterranean Chickpea Salad and Quinoa Avocado Salad to Greek Salad and Asian Sesame Cucumber Salad, the possibilities are endless. A key ingredient that enhances these bowls is Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), which adds a captivating aroma and depth to every bite.
Dressings: The Secret to a Perfect Salad
A well-balanced dressing can completely transform a salad, bringing out the best in its ingredients. Gupta emphasizes the role of vinegars, “Borges’ Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a game-changer—it’s aged in wooden casks, developing a sweet, tangy complexity that pairs beautifully with fresh greens, fruits, and cheeses. For a bolder punch, Borges Red Wine Vinegar is another fantastic choice, adding just the right amount of zing without overpowering the dish.”
Beyond traditional dressings, Ipsita Chakravarti, HOD of Dietetics, CMRI Kolkata, suggests experimenting with unique flavor profiles, “A summer salad is not just a bed of greens. It has flavor bursts, textural changes, and fresh, vibrant seasonal colors! Take it to a whole new level with a zingy citrus vinaigrette made with lemon juice, olive oil, and honey, or add creaminess with a yogurt dressing featuring a hint of Sriracha and lime.”
Adding Texture, Protein, and Hydration
To make salads more filling and satisfying, texture plays a key role. Chakravarti recommends layering in crunch with toasted nuts like almonds, pistachios, or peanuts. Adding natural sweetness through grilled peaches, cherry tomatoes, fresh berries, or mango slices can further enhance the taste.
For those looking to add protein, she suggests,”Try grilled chicken, marinated salmon, boiled eggs, or feta cheese. Herbs like cilantro, parsley, or basil can also bring a refreshing twist. Watermelon-feta, Mediterranean chickpea, or pasta salads with mozzarella and cherry tomatoes are excellent options, packed with fiber, protein, and hydrating properties.”
Refreshing Summer Pairings
Pair your summer salad with a refreshing beverage for a complete, cooling meal. Chakravarti recommends options like buttermilk, lemon water, or a chilled smoothie to round out the experience.
The Takeaway: Make It Your Own
The beauty of salads lies in their versatility—mix and match ingredients, experiment with dressings, and personalize every bowl to suit your taste. As Gupta reminds us, “The next time you reach for a salad, don’t just keep it basic—elevate it with the magic of EVOO and natural vinegar. Healthy eating never tasted this good.”
So, whether you’re a fan of classic greens or love trying out global-inspired combinations, embrace the art of salad-making this summer. With the right balance of fresh produce, high-quality dressings, and flavorful additions, your salad can be more than just a side—it can be the star of your meal!
