Tasty additions so summer salads
With summer coming on, salads are becoming popular again, so I thought I would share some simple ways to make a salad a bit more interesting.
Nuts and Seeds such as almonds, sunflower, pumpkin, sesame, etc don't have to be used plain. Try:
* Dry roasting in an oven, or add olive oil and salt and roast.
* Toast in a lightly oiled pan.
* Sprinkle with Tamari or Coconut Aminos, mix through and roast in oven until dry and toasted.
* Try flavouring sunflower or almonds as follows. Mix together 2 tsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp lime juice, and 1 tsp ground cumin. Mix through the nuts or seeds and roast until dry and toasted.
Top salads with nuts and seeds just before serving, to add different flavours and textures. A great addition to green, beetroot, quinoa, rice or any other salad combination.
* Black Cumin Seeds, Nigella Sativa, also add an interesting flavour. They can be dry toasted until they become fragrant, then sprinkled on salads, or they can be added to a dressing. This is my favourite!
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
.
Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
-
84% Yes
-
14.7% No
-
1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.