Confession: I’m a lifelong green salad avoider and am generally opposed to raw broccoli (don’t get me started on raw cauliflower). But this moreish, substantial salad, inspired by a broccoli dish they serve at the restaurant Dishoom, will have even the most hardened salad sceptics converted – it’s packed with colour, flavour and texture and, unusually, tastes just as good the next day in a lunchbox. And, as you’ll see, I avoid the raw broccoli issue by quickly blanching it before adding the dressing. Serve with hot flatbreads (gluten-free, if required) and hummus alongside for a filling, colourful dinner.
Method:
- Tip the mangetout, sliced broccoli and red onion into a large bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to blanch for 2 minutes before draining well.
- Meanwhile, whisk together the lime zest and juice, olive oil, ginger, sea salt and red chilli for the dressing in a small bowl.
- In a large bowl, mix the drained mangetout, broccoli and onion with the dressing, medjool dates and pecans. Taste and adjust the salt as needed, then serve. The colour will be less vibrant the next day, because the lime juice in the dressing dulls the colour of green veg, but it'll taste fabulous.