Monday 5 January 2015

Better then Lettuce

In an effort to use I up the glut of zucchini I decided to experiment with it as a substitute for lettuce. Very pleasing results, so happy with it that I think it will replace lettuce for the duration of the zucchini season.

zucchini, cucumber, avocado, thinly sliced spring onion, smoked salmon,
lemon zest and lemon dressing

The thin pale strips, some with dark green edges are attractive, pile up nicely and provide substance to the salad. Use a wide or regular vegetable peeler to make the strips. Cucumber can also be sliced this way. Add other ingredients according to your taste and whatever you have in the fridge.  The zucchini can be sliced in advance and will keep in an airtight container in the fridge overnight, making it an ideal lunchbox salad.

zucchini, cherry tomatoes, cut in halves, red capsicum, julienned, olives, walnuts,
fresh oregano, lemon thyme, parsley



To make the salad all that you need to do is combine the ingredients of choice with the zucchini strips, pile the salad onto the serving platter and dress with a little of your preferred dressing.

zuchini, diced apple, fresh dates, slivered, walnuts, sulanas plumped in a little sherry or orange juice,
blue cheese dressing

Dressing is a matter of personal preference, however, my tastes run to something a little more substantial than French dressing. I will often make a dressing with some commercial mayonnaise to give it some body or that has some soft blue cheese/fetta whizzed in. I use Thomy brand or Kewpie, both readily available in the supermarkets. Do not add salt to the dressings as the blue cheese and fetta are quite salty. I add frshly ground black pepper to the salad/at the table rather than in the dressings.

Lemon Dressing
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon infused olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
zest of 1 -2 lemons

Place all ingredients in a screw top jar and shake. Store in the fridge.

Blue Cheese Dressing
2 tablespoons soft blue cheese
2 tablespoons walnut oil
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 cloves garlic

Whiz all the ingredients together in blender or food processor. Store in the fridge.

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