Sandwich Alternatives: Rainbow Salad

My sister would make a great personal chef. One day I came downstairs, hungry for some tea, to find her chopping vegetables.

"What are you making?" I said. I had hoped we might have pasta.

"A salad," she said.

"Just... a salad?"

"It will be good, trust me."

Sarah has a special skill with food – I'm not exaggerating when I say everything she makes tastes amazing. And this salad was no exception. Maybe she can work her magic and make all food taste good and filling.

It's time to start believing in salads – I'm serious! They aren't as unsatisfying, plain and boring as we seem to think. And this one was easy to make - I watched Sarah do it so I know - anyone can do it.

The dressing adds a little kick and makes it taste ah-mazing. It's lime juice, olive oil, salt, sumac, black pepper and mint. For quantities etc, check out the original recipe on Smitten Kitchen - one of my absolute favourite blogs for recipes (smores pie, anyone?)

Having so many different types of vegetables, fruits and proteins in this big fat dish makes me want to eat it because I know it's good, even though it's not lasagne. All of the components in this salad scream good hair, skin and nails, which, as a woman, is an undeniable desire/need of mine.

You can put just about whatever you like in a rainbow salad, but I would encourage lots of your favourites – mine being avocado, beetroot, feta cheese, green beans, boiled eggs, pickled onions... everything in this salad. And maybe if you're feeling sad - I don't know - make the pasta to go on the side. No one has to know. I packed this for my lunch for the next few days and it was way better than sandwiches.

I have so many ideas for Sandwich Alternatives posts, and I'd love to know if you'd like to see more. I find them really useful on days/weeks when I'm feeling uninspired about lunch. I like to have something to look forward to when it's time for a break from work, and sandwiches are so boring (unless you have a New York Deli where you work). I'll be asking Sarah to assemble another rainbow salad soon, will you have a go at making one?