Chilli Guava Salad recipe with Healthy peanut dressing – Guava apple salad with peanuts Indian style salads

Chilli Guava Salad with Healthy Peanut Dressing | A Protein-Rich Indian Salad

If you love the tangy and spicy flavors of Indian street food, you’re going to enjoy this Chilli Guava Salad. Inspired by the way we spice up seasonal fruits with chili powder and salt, this refreshing salad combines the sweetness of fruits with the heat of spices and the richness of a peanut-based dressing. It’s a perfect balance of flavors, and the best part? It’s packed with nutrients, making it a wholesome and protein-rich salad that you can enjoy as a snack, side, or light meal.

Why You Should Try This Salad

This salad highlights guava, an underrated superfood, which is rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Paired with other fresh fruits and vegetables like apples, cucumbers, and carrots, the salad provides a healthy dose of vitamins and minerals. The addition of a peanut dressing adds a good amount of plant-based protein, making it not only tasty but also nutritious. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy salad for lunch or a side dish that adds some spice to your meal, this Chilli Guava Salad will become your go-to choice.

Health Benefits of Guava

Guava is a powerhouse of nutrients. It’s particularly rich in Vitamin C, with one guava providing more than double the daily requirement. It’s also high in fiber, which helps in digestion and keeping you full longer. Guava is known for its antioxidant properties, which boost immunity and protect against cell damage.

Video recipe

Recipe in detail

Ingredients

For the Peanut Dressing:

• 2 tbsp peanuts (soaked in hot water for 10 minutes)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 tsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper powder
• Few drops of honey
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Pinch of chili powder
• Water as needed

For the Spiced Guava:

• 2 guavas, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 1/8 tsp chaat masala
• 1/8 tsp lemon juice

For the Salad:

• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, grated
• 1/2 cup lettuce, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• Grapes (a handful)
• Peanuts, mixed seeds, and microgreens for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables and Fruits:

• Take a bowl of water and add a splash of vinegar. Soak the vegetables (lettuce, cucumber, carrot, apple, grapes) in this water for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Peanut Dressing:

• Drain the soaked peanuts and add them to a blender along with garlic, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, honey, lemon juice, and chili powder.
• Blend into a smooth paste, adding water little by little until you get a thick dressing consistency.

3. Prepare the Spiced Guava:

• In a separate bowl, mix the chopped guavas with salt, chili powder, chili flakes, chaat masala, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Toss well and set aside to let the flavors combine.

4. Assemble the Salad:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, grated carrot, sliced cucumber, chopped apple, sliced onion, and grapes.
• Pour the prepared peanut dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat the vegetables and fruits evenly.

5. Final Touches:

• Transfer the salad to a serving plate and top it with the spiced guava mixture.
• Garnish with roasted peanuts, mixed seeds, and fresh microgreens for added crunch and flavor.

Step pics

In a big bowl, fill water and 2-3 tbsp of vinegar to it.

soak all the vegetables in it. for 10 minutes. I usually either soak it in vinegar or sometimes also add baking soda. this is because, we are going to have it raw. some vegetables with skin and some without skin, the vinegar bath will remove the pesticides stuck to the skin of the vegetables.

soak the peanuts in hot water for 15 minutes.

strain and take the soaked peanuts for the dressing. you may add it directly to the blender. i have taken it in bowl for a clean look in my photos and videos.

add a clove of garlic

soya sauce

apple cider vinegar

add salt

freshly ground pepper powder

little bit of honey

lemon squeeze

pinch of chilli powder

grind it to a fine paste adding very little water. it should not be runny but in saucy consistency

in a bowl, take chopped guava

add salt, chilli powder to it

also add chilli flakes and

add chaat masala(optional) for an extra kick

mix well.

lastly, add a squeeze of lemon and mix again.

keep it aside until use.

in a large mixing bowl, combine lettuce, cucumber, carrots, onions

chopped apples, grapes

pour in the dressing.

mix well.

transfer to a serving plate

now, top it with the hero of the salad, SPICED GUAVA.

mix gently not completely. we want the hero to be on top.

garnish with roasted and deskinned peanuts

some mixed seeds

and micro greens

Serving Suggestions

This Chilli Guava Salad can be served as a light lunch, a refreshing side dish, or a healthy snack. The sweet and spicy guava on top adds an extra burst of flavor, making it irresistible. It pairs well with grilled meats, sandwiches, or simply enjoyed on its own as a snack or a movie time partner.

Expert Tips for Chilli Guava Salad

1. Choose semi Ripe Guavas: Select guavas that are semi ripe but still firm for the perfect balance of sweetness, crunch and tanginess. Overripe guavas can turn mushy and affect the texture of the salad.
2. Adjust the Spice Level: Customize the spiciness according to your preference. If you like it spicier, increase the amount of chili powder or flakes. For a milder flavor, reduce the spices slightly.
3. Peanut Dressing Consistency: While blending the peanut dressing, add water little by little to ensure it stays thick but pourable. A thinner dressing may not coat the salad well.
4. Add Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh coriander or mint leaves can elevate the flavors of the salad and add a refreshing element to balance the spice.
5. Chill Before Serving: For an even more refreshing taste, refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the overall taste.
6. Crunchy Garnish: Don’t skip the garnish! Roasted peanuts, mixed seeds, and microgreens not only add texture but also boost the nutritional value of the salad.

Recipe for print