10 ways to tempting salads

1. For a Mediterranean touch roast peppers, eggplants, zucchini to give extra flavor

2. Toast seeds and nuts in a dry pan and sprinkle on to salads for added texture  and flavor. Try toasting with a little ground cumin or coriander.

3. Halve tomatoes width ways, place in a roasting tray, season herbs and spices, a little black pepper and some rosemary, then place in a low oven and roast for a couple  of hours. The tomato flavor will intensify.

4. Serve salads with hot ingredients tossed with the leaves. Use steamed or grilled meat or fish – this retains the flavor without adding high amounts fat, and keeps the color vibrant.

5. Roast cut vegetables with spices then toss into a salad for an easy vegetarian option.

6. Ethnic inspired toppings such as wontons, tortilla strips, pita, nuts and seeds add excitement and interest to salads.

7. For an Asian touch toss chicken strips with salad leaves and dress with low salt soy sauce, mirin and lime juice.

8. Use rice noodles instead of pasta in salads – they  add an interesting texture.

9. Make an easy side dip with fat free Greek yogurt or low fat mayonnaise, lemon juice, ground cumin and coriander.

10. Serve couscous steamed with lemon juice and finished with lots of herbs (fresh and puréed) for added flavor.