You can absolutely make best friends with salad

Who says salads can't be the highlight of your day? Say goodbye to boring greens with these mouthwatering recipes.

Radicchio, fig and goats cheese with caramelised balsamic Credit: Kitti Gould

--- Watch The Cook Up with Adam Liaw weeknights on SBS Food (Ch.33) at 7.00pm. Stream all episodes anytime at SBS On Demand. --- 

Explore these redefining salad recipes from The Cook Up and being besties with your bowl of salad has never been this delicious!

Zucchini, pomegranate & goat’s cheese salad

Fresh zucchini eaten raw has incredible flavour when simply dressed with lemon juice, salt and olive oil. Topped with pomegranate, mint, toasted pine nuts and goat's cheese, this salad is sure to stay on your regular weeknight rotation.

Zucchini, pomegranate & goat’s cheese salad Credit: Jiwon Kim

Caprese salad

Incredibly simple, yet looks and tastes amazing. This is the ultimate combination of flavours and colours, perfect as an appetiser or a side.

Caprese salad Credit: Adam Liaw

Udon salad

A light Japanese salad with udon noodles, poached chicken, eggs and plenty of veggies. Drizzled with warm dressing, this wholesome and well-balanced, meal will keep you satisfied throughout the day.

Credit: Danielle Abou Karam

Radicchio, fig and goat's cheese with caramelised balsamic

Add colour to your dinner table! The combination of the bitterness of the radicchio, the sweetness of the figs and caramelised balsamic with the creamy goat's cheese is sure to please the palate!

Radicchio, fig and goats cheese with caramelised balsamic Credit: Kitti Gould

Chipotle-roasted broccolini and potato salad

This salad is a medley of textures and flavours, perfect on a shared board. Crisp roast potatoes and broccolini, nestled on a bed of peppery rocket leaves, with the unexpected sweet touch of blackberries.

Credit: Danielle Abou Karam

Hot Greek salad

Drawing on pantry staples and a handful of fresh ingredients, the traditional tang and saltiness of a Greek salad is given a twist with the addition of warm battery rice.

Credit: Adam Liaw

Lillipad's salad

On the menu: Turmeric-roasted cauliflower, cucumber, mint, house-made pickled onion, pepperberry, baby spinach, pine nuts and sultana mixed with a macadamia oil dressing served with sourdough.

Credit: Adam Liaw

Watermelon and cucumber salad with fish sauce vinaigrette

Crisp cucumber chunks and thin radish slices pickled in a tangy vinaigrette with a slight chilli heat, balanced by the sweet, cool watermelon. It's a vibrant, zesty salad that brings a burst of summery freshness to every bite.

Credit: Danielle Abou Karam

Warrigal salad

This recipe is one of the simplest ways to incorporate Indigenous ingredients into your cooking. A handful of Warrigal greens, mangoes and toasted macadamia nuts tossed in a zesty sweet dressing.

Warrigal salad Credit: Adam Liaw

Panzanella (bread and tomato salad)

This rustic summer salad of bread and tomatoes is a staple in Florence and has been popular since the Renaissance. It is a dish that makes much out of little, using inexpensive, seasonal ingredients.

Panzanella Credit: KITTI GOULD

Sichuan cucumber salad

A perfect side dish of crisp cucumber tossed in flavoursome dressing, infused with hot oil to release the aromatics. The combination of the sweet, spicy and savoury flavours will have you addicted.

Sichuan cucumber salad Credit: Kitti Gould

Rice noodle salad with wombok, apple, carrot and tofu

Colourful, crunchy, quick-to-make and with a lively, tangy Asian dressing – this satisfying noodle salad will have you eating it on repeat! And it's ready in 30 minutes!

Rice noodle salad with wombok, apple, carrot and tofu Credit: Kitti Gould

The original Caesar salad

Inspired by the original version of the famed salad dating back to the 1920s, this is a must-note recipe that will work great on any occasion.

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Salmon and Persian feta salad

Transform your salad game in minutes! The crunch of pepitas, the sweet burst of cranberries, and the creamy feta make this salad a game-changer. Perfect to pair with salmon or any dish!

Credit: Jiwon Kim

Cauliflower and pumpkin salad

Are you looking for a hearty and healthy dinner? How about combining fresh baby spinach leaves, warm roasted vegetables and a caramelised balsamic dressing topped with creamy feta?

Credit: Jiwon Kim