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Ingredients:
For the Salad-
2 cups garbanzo beans or chickpeas; tinned or dry beans, soaked overnight and boiled in salted water till soft,
1 onion; chopped,
1 tomato; chopped,
1 green pepper (capsicum); chopped,
Chopped cilantro or coriander leaves to garnish.

For the Dressing-
2 tbsp Olive oil,
2 green chillies; finely chopped,
2 tbsp lime juice,
3/4 tsp or as per taste - chat masala, (optional)
1 tsp roasted and ground cumin,
Salt to taste,

Method:
Mix together all the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Then mix together all the ingredients for the dressing in another bowl and then pour over the salad. Toss well.

Serve as a snack with tortilla chips, potato chips, potato wedges or simply as is.

Ingredients:
For the dressing-
1 tsp vinegar,
1 tbsp fish sauce,
2 red chillies; deseeded and thinly sliced,
1/2 tsp demarara sugar; powdered,
Salt to taste.

For the salad-
1 cucumber; thinly sliced vertically, (use a peeler)
15 leaves of iceberg lettuce; shredded,
1/2 cup bean sprouts,
1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves,
Few sprigs of mint leaves; chopped.

Method:
Mix together all the ingredients of the dressing in a bowl and beat together until the sugar is dissolved.
Combine all the vegetables in the salad into a large salad bowl and then pour the dressing over it. Toss and serve immediately.

NOTE:
If you have time in between preparing and serving the salad (for instance at the time of a party) prepare the dressing and keep in the refrigerator. Arrange the vegetables (except cucumber) in the salad bowl and refrigerate it too. Peel the cucumber, add to the salad, pour the dressing over the salad and mix it only at the time of serving. This would keep the salad crunchy and fresh. Since cucumber starts watering add it at the end.

Ingredients:
3 plum tomatoes; sliced,
1/2 pound mozzarella cheese; sliced in 1/4 inch thickness,
1 tbsp drained capers,
Black or green olives; chopped (optional).

For the dressing-
1 tbsp peppercorns; coarsely crushed,
1/2 cup olive oil,
1/4 cup honey,
1 tbsp white vinegar
4-5 basil leaves; freshly chopped,
Salt to taste.

Method:
Arrange the tomato slices and mozzarella cheese slices alternately on a nice decorative plate. Mix together all the other ingredients to prepare the dressing. Pour on the tomatoes and cheese only when you are ready to serve the salad. Sprinkle capers and olives on top.

TIP:
Always mix your vegetables with the dressing only at the time of serving, else your dressing would soak into the vegetables and your salad will become soft and soggy.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Olive oil,
3 tbsp red or white wine vinegar,
1/4 tsp dry oregano,
1/4 tsp dry thyme,
1/4 tsp dry basil or few fresh leaves; chopped,
Few sprigs of parsley; chopped,
1 tsp minced garlic,
1 tbsp minced onion,
Salt to taste.

Method:
Mix together all the ingredients in a jar with an airtight lid. Shake well and pour over you favorite salad.
You can also store this jar in the refrigerator and shake well before every use.

This festive season of ‘Navratri’ try this fruit raita and stay healthy.

Ingredients: (Serves 2)
2 cups seasonal fruits (banana, grapes, pomogranate, apples, pears, papaya, etc); diced,
2 cups yogurt/curd, (low fat if you are dieting)
2 tsp sugar (or as per taste,
A pinch of rock salt,
1/2 cup dry fruits (split or broken cashew nuts, pistachios and walnuts),
2 tbsp raisins,
1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder (optional).

Method:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk egg with sugar until creamy. Then add fruits, dry fruits, raisins, to it and mix well. While serving transfer to serving bowls and sprinkle rock salt and roasted cumin powder on the top.