All in Soups and salads

Griddled asparagus on toasted sourdough

This plant-based bean and avocado salad is one you will adopt and make over and over again. Perfect as a lunch prepped ahead for a couple of days, where you can add a different source of extra protein (boiled egg, feta cheese, leftover roast chicken, poached salmon). It is also a fab salad to make to work alongside those summer BBQs we are all looking forward to!
Bonus, itโ€™s super quick and made from everyday affordable ingredients!

10 mins beans and avocado salad bowl

This plant-based bean and avocado salad is one you will adopt and make over and over again. Perfect as a lunch prepped ahead for a couple of days, where you can add a different source of extra protein (boiled egg, feta cheese, leftover roast chicken, poached salmon). It is also a fab salad to make to work alongside those summer BBQs we are all looking forward to!
Bonus, itโ€™s super quick and made from everyday affordable ingredients!

Lentil, beetroot & salmon salad bowl

The beauty of this lentil salad is its versatility! Some elements (lentils and salmon) can be added warm, and all can be made ahead or already in the fridge and cupboard so you can assemble this beautiful salad at the last minute. It makes a perfect starter for 4 or a balanced lunch for 2. The lentils and salmon provide a good source of protein and healthy fats to keep you full for longer. This can be made with any type of lentil - but I think those beluga lentils are perfect and sturdy for this salad. Second favourite to use are Puy lentils.

roasted vegetable and lentil salad

Regular readers of our blog and social media pages will know that we love a salad even in the colder months. However the key is to add warm elements. Thereโ€™s nothing worse than a cold crisp iceberg lettuce in the winter! This salad is warm with roasted vegetables, warm lentils and then a punch harissa spicy dressing. So easy to rustle up on a cold winter day. If I am going to roast vegetables then I make a large tray full to be enjoyed over the coming days.

Chilli ginger butternut squash soup

Soups are a wonderful way to pack essential nutrients into a delicious meal. One of my favourite taste combo is chilli and ginger anti teams up perfectly with all the winter root vegetables. This is a treaty soup you can happily eat on itโ€™s own or with a nice slice of garlic grated toasted sourdough. I always add a little crunch with lots of seeds to serve. Leave out the chilli if you have young kids who donโ€™t fancy it. Oh and that little bit of bacon, if you chose to use it, makes such a difference.

curried chicken and coconut soup

This is the perfect soup when you have leftover chicken. Often when we cook a whole chicken or some individual portions we add either another chicken or some extra portions for leftovers. This is such an easy win in meal prep as it takes no extra time and provides you with a great protein source for the next day. This curried chicken soup is a heart warming bowl of goodness that makes a heart lunch or evening meal. To make it vegetarian see notes below.

red cabbage, beetroot and quinoa salad

A beautiful and vibrant red salad thatโ€™s like a slaw in texture - but packs a little more nutrition. With the quinoa, edamame beans and avocado thereโ€™s plenty of protein to keep you full until the next meal. However if you are active or having a higher protein need you might want to add some halloumi or feta as well. The ginger and tahini dressing provides a delicious taste as well as providing some calcium from the tahini.

red cabbage slaw with tahini ginger dressing

For me, a slaw, is right up there as a great salad. A red cabbage slaw with its vibrant colour is just the best. I often feature red cabbage in a salad - it provides a great crunch and helps to fill you up with the fibre - without adding many calories. This salad can be served on its own or alongside a BBQ or just some grilled chicken or salmon.

Lentil salad with miso yoghurt dressing

This was inspired by a jar of Brindisa Monjardin organic lentils. The lentils looked so pretty that I wanted them to be the star of the salad. Do use whatever lentils are your favourite - although if you do find the Brindisa brand then I urge you to give them a go. This salad takes minutes to make and can be enjoyed on its own or alongside some grilled salmon or chicken.

Top 7 summer salads you will love

We love salads at The Health Boost and nearly every day will have one for lunch and in the summer for supper too. However there's no limp lettuce and starving ourselves with our salads. The key to a good salad is to get the right balance of protein, healthy fats and some slow release healthy carbohydrates so that you aren't hungry again by 3pm. We include lots and lots of vegetables in our salads as we love them and recognise their health benefits. We hope this selection of salads will provide you with some inspiration. We change our salads weekly, depending on what's seasonal and what delights our vegetable box brings. Have fun experimenting with your salads! If you want to learn how to create the perfect salad we have a separate article How to create the perfect salad

Quick and easy French asparagus soup

When you love asparagus, the season is not really long enough, so I really try and come up with new recipes to include them at least a couple of times a week. This new recipe could very quickly become a seasonal staple for my family. It is quick to prepare, nutritionally balanced, can be adapted, can be eaten hot or cold, makes a perfect picnic or lunchbox item and when cut into squares it's a great finger food for the younger ones. What are you waiting for? 

Watercress and wild garlic soup

This is a such a super quick and easy soup that is spring in a bowl. Wild garlic grows in March and April in shady, woody and wet environments. The smell will probably hit you before you see it. If you are in doubt rub the leaves between your fingers. If you donโ€™t smell garlic then leave well alone.

Butternut squash garam masala soup

Soups always help making lunch quick, easy and healthy. The secret, as always, is in the planning and prepping! If you want your soup to keep you full until supper, you need to make sure it contains some protein and healthy fats. This soup contains coconut cream ticking both boxes. You could always swap for greek yoghurt, but the coconut does work really well with the garam masala spice. Perfect comfort food!
I make this soup using my slow cooker, but you could do in an AGA, or slowly on a stove.