Summer Salad

This salad is perfect for this lovely summer weather. It doesn't require an oven, and you don't have to put a pan on the stove. With a short list of ingredients and a little love, you can serve up a delicious meal. 

We had to wait a while for it, but this week summer really feels like it’s here. The wonderfully warm temperatures and a sun-drenched landscape always give me that vacation feeling. Today is the first day of the year that it’s 30°C here. That calls for a summery salad. The cauliflower, strawberries, and arugula are seasonal ingredients. The recipe is simple, but the flavors and textures complement each other beautifully. The crisp texture of the cauliflower is a nice contrast to the creamy, soft avocado strips. The arugula and pine nuts stand out with their tangy flavor. The strawberries and a drizzle of honey add a sweet touch that gives the dish an extra summery twist. 

The Recipe

Ingredients: (serves 2)

• ¼ cauliflower
• 1 avocado
• 10 strawberries
• 8 handfuls of arugula
• 2 handfuls of (toasted) pine nuts
• 4 tsp honey
• salt and pepper

Preparation: (10 minutes)

1. Cut the cauliflower into small florets.
2. Cut the avocado in half lengthwise along the pit. Remove the pit. Carefully make horizontal cuts into the avocado. Use a spoon to scoop the avocado strips out of the skin. 
3. Cut the strawberries in half. If necessary, remove the stems. 
4. Arrange the arugula, avocado strips, strawberries, and cauliflower florets on the plates.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Sprinkle the pine nuts and honey on top.

Enjoy your meal!

Tip: toasted pine nuts

Toasted pine nuts are very tasty and have a different flavor than regular ones. When toasted, their flavor is reminiscent of cashews, but with a slightly richer taste. When eaten plain, they have a more neutral flavor. Both are delicious in this salad. 

If you want to toast them, put the pine nuts in a dry pan and place it over medium heat. Stir the pan regularly to make sure they don't burn. It will take about 10 minutes to toast the pine nuts. Be especially careful during those last few minutes.