St Patrick’s Salad

St Patrick’s Salad

So I made this salad for dinner last St Patrick’s Day because I had a bumper crop of basil on hand and I wanted to make dinner something really green. I can’t remember for the life of me now what we ate it with! Although something tells me it was sausages.

The great thing about raw broccoli in salads is you don’t need to worry about wilting and they can improve with some time. So feel free to make this one a day ahead and keep in the fridge.

enough for: 2 as a side
takes: 15 minutes
1 bunch basil, leaves picked
2 tablespoons lemon juice
large handful grated Parmesan
1 head broccoli

1. Place basil in a food processor with lemon juice and 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. Whizz until you have a chunky paste. Stir in parmesan. Taste and season with salt and possibly more lemon. If it looks a little dry add more oil.

2. Finely chop broccoli by hacking through it by hand. I like to leave some chunky bits and have others finer but it’s up to you.

3. Toss chopped broccoli in the basil dressing and you’re good to serve.

Variations

short on time – whizz the broccoli in the food processor before making the dressing.

no food processor – just finely chop the basil by hand and stir with the remaining dressing ingredients.

dairy-free / paleo / vegan – replace cheese with nuts such as cashews, pine nuts, brazil nuts or almond meal.

carb lovers / more substantial – toss in some cooked grains like quiona or brown rice OR some torn bread (if you have some Irish soda bread that would be prefect!). OR why not toss in steamed potatoes or serve it on a bed of mash and really make your Irishman happy.

more protein – serve as a side to grilled pork sausages, chops or chorizo. Or roast chicken OR lamb cutlets OR pan fried black pudding if you really want to be Irish. Or toss in some halved boiled eggs or some cooked chicken. Also good with some drained canned tuna or salmon.

different herbs – if basil isn’t in season where you are, feel free to substitute in flat leaf parsley.

can’t do raw broccoli? – it really is lovely but feel free to toss chopped steamed broccoli in with the dressing instead.

different veg – this pesto-like dressing is also brilliant with shaved zucchini, steamed asparagus or cauliflower. Also thinking it would work on shaved cabbage.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

basil – make basil oil by packing washed and dried leaves in a clean jar and covering with extra virgin olive oil. Or you can freeze the leaves, they’ll wilt but will still be delicious.

lemon – whole lemon will keep wrapped in a plastic bag in the fridge for months.

parmesan – wrap in waxed paper or baking paper and store in the fridge in a sealed paper bag or airtight container. Will keep for months. Can be frozen if you’re going away.

broccoli – will keep wrapped in a plastic bag in the fridge for about 2 weeks or sometimes a little longer. Can be frozen (if you have time chop before freezing so it will defrost quickly in the pan).