Healthy food: salad recipes for summer that look and taste great

When it comes to food, summer is the ideal time to go green - try these easy recipes for delicious salads

With summer finally on the horizon, salad leaves and greens are back in season and they taste delicious. Whether you eat them as a main course, side dish or as part of a barbecue spread, here are some ideas for interesting and tasty combinations that are great to look at and even better to eat.

Salad combinations
It's easy to make a stunning salad so long as you begin with good-quality ingredients. Start with your favourite salad leaves or vegetables and if you're eating the salad as a main course remember to add a portion of healthy protein. The protein will help ensure a balanced meal and as it is more filling it will help prevent you from feeling hungry again too soon. Salads needn't be boring and you can add extra interest with a tasty dressing made from flavoured oils or vinegars or add texture with nuts, seeds or delicious deli meats.

Cous-cous with chicken, tomatoes and pesto dressing
Cous-cous makes a great base for salads as it is so versatile. Simply make up the cous-cous according to the packet instructions and leave to stand. Add cooked, sliced chicken breast, chopped cucumber and tomatoes and a generous handful of chopped parsley. Mix pesto half and half with plain or greek yoghurt and serve on the side as a dressing.

Wild rocket, crayfish and avocado
Crayfish are wonderful in salads but you can also make this salad with prawns or lobster if you like. Make a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice and freshly chopped chives. Toss the rocket in the dressing until all the leaves are coated and arrange the crayfish and a few avocado slices on top. Garnish with more chives and serve as it is or with croutons.

Tofu, cous-cous and mint salad
Tofu makes a good alternative to meat or fish for vegetarian salads. Add finely chopped red onion, chopped tomatoes and a large handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley to a bowl of cous-cous. Deep fry tofu cubes until golden, add to the salad and top with finely sliced mint leaves.

Mozzarella, basil and cherry tomato salad
It's a classic and it's hard to beat for flavour and texture. Use the finest mozzarella you can find and pair it with fresh basil leaves, good quality olive oil, and ripe, juicy cherry tomatoes. Rocket or watercress will add a great peppery note or try avocado slices or guacamole on the side.

Spicy beef salad
For a substantial salad you can't go far wrong with beef. Pan fry a seasoned beef fillet and leave to rest for 20 minutes. Tear the leaves from a washed romaine lettuce and arrange on a plate with a handful of peanuts. Add warm Thai rice noodles and coat the leaves and noodles with ready-made Thai dressing. Finely slice the beef and arrange the slices on top of the noodles. Top with mint leaves and some chopped coriander for a spicy salad that's perfect for summer evenings.

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