I Joined Expedia World on a Plate Challenge!

Due to hubby's health condition, I have been preparing healthier food options these days. I even went to the extent of buying a gas-fired oven so that we could avoid deep fried dishes that are high in cholesterol. My family have been enjoying all things grilled, from vegetables to fish and meat. I have to say I've purchased the best kitchen toy to date.

Apart from grilled dishes, another healthier food option my husband enjoys eating without having to worry about calorie and cholesterol count is fresh salad. When I received an invitation to participate in Expedia World on a Plate Challenge, I decided to come up with a salad dish. If you've heard about Expedia's Package Holidays, you'll know that there are many countries to choose from. My choice for the challenge was Cyprus.

"Why Cyprus?", you may ask. Well, I gathered that Cyprus have rich history in gastronomy with indigenous products and unique recipes that cannot be found anywhere else. Have you heard about Halloumi, Pastelaki, Lountza and Carob? They are just a few of Cyprus' amazing wealth of ingredients. I got really intrigue with Carob that I wish to try it with my fresh salad recipe.

Carob is known as Cyprus' Black Gold. Ceratonia siliqua or the carob tree has been cultivated in Cyprus for over 2,000 years and was one of the island's most fruitful exports. It is well known that Cypriot carob is the best in the world. Whilst an acquired taste to many, the syrup is simply delicious so do try it drizzled over vanilla icecream, as a salad dressing or even your morning porridge. ~ www.visitcyprus.com

Here's my fresh salad recipe which I think will be perfect when drizzled with carob syrup:

Dressing ingredients:

• a drizzle of lemon juice
• 1 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar

Optional:

• 1/2 tsp wholegrain mustard
• 1 tbsp carob syrup
• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped or grated
• shavings of kefalotori cheese

Salad mix:

• fresh salad vegetable mix
• fresh pomegranate seeds
• cherry tomatoes
• feta cheese with herbs

For the dressing ingredients: 
Place it in a small jar, cover tightly and shake to form the dressing. Set aside and keep refrigerated until required. To make my salad recipes even healthier, I avoid fatty salad dressings and opt for a freshly concocted salad dressing. 

For the salad mix: 
Place it in a salad mixer and rotate its cover until the vegetables are evenly mixed. Put the mixed vegetables in a salad bowl and garnish it with feta cheese with herbs and fresh pomegranate seeds. Ultimately, drizzle your preferred salad dressing and enjoy!

There goes my Expedia World on a Plate Challenge! Would you join the challenge too? What would you cook?