Salad

This is a simple, tasty and yet a healthy salad you can make in minutes. I have tasted this at a Russian friend's place and tried several variations of my own over time.

What you need

• Baby spinach or fancy salad mix
• Extra Virgin Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Sweet Onion
• Strawberries
• Walnuts
• Salt & Pepper

Preparation

In a bowl add thinly sliced onion, Strawberries, lemon juice, salt, pepper, 1/4 spoon sugar, Olive oil and let it sit for 30 minutes.
Toast walnuts and chop roughly. Arrange salad greens in a bowl and top with about mix and nuts and you are done.

My Spin

• Mango and naval oranges are excellent alternatives to Strawberries. Look for a fruit or berries that's juicy and acidic in nature. The emulsion of acid and olive oil makes the dressing.
• Walnuts can be replaced with pine nuts or almonds. It's important to toast them to bring out the taste.
• I prefer sweet onion that's not too strong. If you don't have it, soak sliced onion in ice cold water (with little vinegar if you have some) for 15 minutes and drain. Cold water keeps them crisp.
• I prefer chopping greens as well. You will be sacrificing presentation but smaller leaves gets even coating of dressing and easy to pickup with a fork and stuff your mouth.
• I recommend baby spinach. If you have leftover greens and not in the mood to make a salad, you can wilt them (see my previous post for Chard) or make other Indian dishes.

Spicy Chard

Swiss Chard - Here is a green that's packed with vitamin A, K and a host of other nutrients.It's easy to prepare and quite tasty too.
What you need:

• Swiss Chard (white or red)
• Garlic
• Crushed chili pepper (pinch)
• Olive oil
• Salt/pepper
• Lemon juice

Process:
Clean, drain and roughly cop the greens.
Heat the pan, add oil, chopped garlic and crushed pepper. Fry for a minute, add greens, stir and cover. Cook for about 5 minutes. Adjust salt and pepper and add lemon juice and you are done.
Variations:
You can follow this simple process with most other greens.
Add chopped onions, bell peppers in the beginning.
Drizzel with more olive oil and roasted pine nuts.