Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is known for his balanced vegetarian diet. From salads to soups, and energy drinks, his daily meals are high in protein and essential nutrients that help him stay active and energized on and off the ground. One of his absolute favourites is the superfood summer salad, which is also part of the “Virat’s Favourite “ at his restaurant One8 Commune in Delhi. It is a flavourful and hydrating salad loaded with veggies, seasonal fruits, nuts, oil, and seeds. It is also rich in healthy fats and has a high water content. Scroll down to read the recipe and learn the benefits too.
Ingredients
1 cup rocket leaves, 1/4 cup puffed quinoa, 1/4 cup roasted bell peppers, 1 small bowl scooped watermelons, 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds, and 2 tbsp cashew nuts
For dressing: 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp mustard sauce, 1/4 tsp chilli sauce, salt to taste
Step 1: For the salad dressing, combine olive oil in a bowl along with vinegar, honey, mustard sauce and chilli flakes. Mix it well and add salt to taste.
Step 2: Next, boil 1 cup of water and add quinoa to it. Simmer the stove and let it cook for about 10 minutes. Add salt as per taste and once the quinoa is puffed, drain out the excess water.
Step 3: Add rocket leaves to a big salad bowl along with cooked quinoa to it. In the meantime, roast bell peppers directly on the flame and chop them to pieces. Scoop out watermelon balls till you have about 1 cup of watermelon balls.
Combine these with the puffed quinoa and rocket leaves in the salad bowl.
Step 4: Add the dressing prepared earlier and toss the salad well. Make sure everything is mixed nicely. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and broken cashews. Your salad is ready. Enjoy!
Benefits of quinoa
It is a complete protein and contains all nine essential amino acids required by the body, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and vegans. It is also rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health. While it is a seed, but it is often consumed like a grain and is considered a superfood due to its impressive nutrient profile.
What do you prefer most in a salad?
Benefits of watermelon
It is a hydrating summer fruit with over 90% water, which helps maintain hydration, especially during hot summer months. It is also a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and potassium, which support immunity, skin health, and proper muscle function. It also contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that may help protect cells from oxidative stress and support heart health.