Summer Cup Salad ... gluten free and vegetarian

All the glorious flavours of summer in one amazing salad – sweet strawberries, refreshing cucumber, fragrant mint and sweet citrus, just add crisp watercress and some creamy goat's cheese and voilà you have a lovely late summer dish!

Ingredients

Serves Four
1 large echalion shallot
pinch of salt
2½ tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard​
juice and zest of ½ orange
1 tbsp Summer Cup (or Pimm’s)**
ground black pepper
15g fresh mint
300g strawberries, hulled and halved (or quartered if large)
½ a cucumber, cut into half moons and de-seeded
80g watercress
50g soft goat's cheese

Method
1. Thinly slice the shallot, transfer to a bowl with the pinch of salt and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar. Massage together with your fingertips; set aside.
2. Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1½ tbsp red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, orange juice and Summer Cup in a mixing bowl; season with plenty of black pepper. Pick the leaves from the mint; finely shred most, reserving the rest. Add the shredded mint to the dressing along with the strawberries and cucumber; toss to coat. Stir in the pickled shallot.
3. Arrange the watercress on a platter. Spoon over the strawberry and cucumber mix, crumble over the goat’s cheese and scatter with the reserved mint leaves and orange zest. Drizzle over any dressing left in the bowl and finish with an extra twist of black pepper to serve.

**Make it alcohol free, just swap the Summer Cup/Pimm's for 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

Each serving contains

Carbohydrate 8.7g Protein 3.8g Fibre 3.9g Fat 17g
From idea seen here

Echalion shallots, also known as banana shallots, are a cross between shallots and onions, offering a larger size and a milder, sweeter flavour than traditional shallots. They have an elongated shape and are easier to peel due to their smoother, tan-coloured skin. Traditional shallots, on the other hand, are smaller, have a more papery skin, and possess a more pungent, onion-like flavour.

Alternative Recipe Suggestions
Chilli tofu veg ‘noodles’ : Spicy leek and white bean stew : See them here

~ enjoy your August days ~

You will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e., use a reliable meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan