This nutty superfood salad recipe is a ‘dupe’ of one of my favourite Marks and Spencer lunches. I don’t think I’ve ever loved a salad as much. It’s knocked the wild rice & lentil off the top spot. To call this a hearty salad sounds rather oxymoronic, but it is hearty, and it is a salad, so I’m going to persist in calling it that.
I’ll forgive you if you’ve never tried nuts in a salad before, but they’re a game changer. The protein, healthy fats and texture they bring turns what could be a limp salad in to something much bolder and better for you. Raw broccoli is a new one for me too, but it really works in this.
Before I share the recipe, let’s have a moment of ‘real life as a blogger’ from the day I took these photos. It was an overcast day. I hunted the house for the best light and decided to set up on top of a big wooden chest by the front door. The exposed stone wall adds a bit of interest to a photo and for lazy points, I can sit on the floor whilst I get the perfect shot. So there I am, sat on the floor in the huge entry of my Parent’s house. The entire wall is floor to ceiling glass. I’d picked out a white pasta bowl that I laid on top of some hessian for a bit of texture (actually a 10p B&Q sandbag). Camera slung around my neck, spatula in hand, tub of houmous in the other.
Something in the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was the postman. He looked completely bewildered. He didn’t knock, he just dropped the parcel on the floor outside and walked away. Turning back I could read the look on his face. “Was that girl eating her lunch off a wooden chest by the front door, with a sand bag as a coaster?” Yep, Mr Postman, that is what I was doing.
Anyway. To serve 4, you’ll need:
4 Tbsp Houmous 2 Broccoli florets 1 Handful of peas 1 Small carrot, grated 200g Black eye beans 3 Tbsp cooked quinoa 1 Handful peanuts 1 Handful pistachios 1 Handful almondsFor the dressing, mix together:
1 Tsp soy 1 Tsp grated ginger 1 Tsp oil 1 Tsp honey
The Marks & Spencer version of this recipe comes with a heap of houmous buried under the salad. I pinch a little with each forkful, Matt mixes it right through. However you eat yours, the houmous is an essential flavour in this mix up so don’t skip it. Smoosh around one tablespoon per person on to your plate or in to your lunch box.
Combine the other salad ingredients, chopping the broccoli in to the tiniest florets. Heap on to the plate.
Mix the dressing ingredients together and drizzle over each portion or alternatively, toss through the entire lot in a large bowl. 
There are quite a lot of ingredients in this but feel free to play around with the components of the salad. Lighten the prep by using the ready cooked quinoa, stocked by most supermarkets now. Use frozen peas if it saves you hunting down a fresh pack out of season. M&S have green beans in their version, try bulgar instead of quinoa, use different nuts, add some chilli to the dressing. And if you do make it, please let me know how you get on.
Jennifer Polly says
This looks lovely! I’m going to have to try it as I love things with nuts in. It could also be nice with some seeds to top it alongside nuts, but I think I’ll stick to your recipe to start with! I couldn’t help but laugh at your postman anecdote – I think part of being a blogger is getting used to people thinking you’re insane. 🙂
Lauren says
Thanks for the tips! I just bought one of these salads and immediately fell in love – quick point though, mine didn’t come with hummus! It did have sunflower seeds and soybeans though, and as I’m yet to come across soybeans on their own i think I’ll be trying your version 🙂
Sarah says
thank you, thank you, thank you.. I love this salad so much and was struggling to replicate at home until now..yum!
Sarah Dolan says
My mum and I have been eating this salad for months after every trip to the hospital we would sit in the car and enjoy every mouthful….. so glad I found the complete recipe because I want to make it at home.
laurencaris says
This looks DELICIOUS and absolutely stunning. I totally get you with the funny looks from people wondering why on earth your food is on the floor… duh the best light is down there…
Vicki Higham says
Of course it is 🙂
Ena says
Bought a Edamame, soybean , Apple, sugar snap ,Peas & coriander salad with an apple, soy & Ginger dressing. Was the best salad I tastes ever. Dressing so refreshing, would love to make it at home
Jean Heath says
I found this salad in M&S yesterday and love it. Do you think they whiz the cannellini beans with the tahini as there was lots of white paste in the box ?
Vicki Higham says
That’s the hummus 🙂
Jess says
OMG THANK YOU
I love this salad, and was perturbed when my M&S stopped selling them! Now they offer a £4 Nutty Salad, but the amount of the nutty salad is tiny and they have put it with lots of rocket/leaves!
I tried to make it myself last night, and I thought the salad was a little bit cooked. I stir-fried it and (of course) it just turned into a stir fry! Now I know that it’s raw, and all the other little goodies that I missed out 🙂 I can make it myself now, thank you! xx
Vicki Higham says
They do seem to switch and change their salad selection every 18months or so. I’m so glad I could help you though! I know what you mean about it seeming cooked, I think it’s because the broccoli is so tender it seems to lead you that way. Really it’s just because the florets are cut so tiny. I hope you enjoy making this and thank you so much for taking the time to leave me a comment 🙂
Tad says
It’s not houmous, but sesame tahini 🙂
climanrecon says
Not tried your version yet, but have tried the M&S £2 version (quinoa & edamame soybean), to which I add chunks of cheddar cheese, apple, and some raisins, which seems to me to work well.
Sarah says
Hi, is the recipe really only 3 tbsp of cooked quinoa between 4 people? It doesn’t seem very much. 🙂
Dia says
THANKYOU so much for this!! I love the salad and this is my go to recipe, it’s been on my favourites on my phone and have made it many times over the last year! I always mean to leave a comment and then forget! You are a genius for figuring it out!! I even have it for lunch today with me at work with butternut squash hummus and a boiled egg =)
Sarah says
How long would this recipe keep in the fridge for?
2bnelly says
Oh my, you may well have just saved me a fortune! This is by far my favourite work lunch salad. I’m off to try the recipie right now!
Jess says
going to give this a try as me and my husband love one from M&S
Rochelle says
Just made this – delicious!
Sam says
Amazing, just lovely with chicken or salmon, one of our favourites. Thanks so much for sharing.
Heidi says
Thank you so much!! My life is complete – I can make my all time favourite salad at home and no more trips to M&S just to buy this! Tastes amazing.
Yoshe says
I’ve been addicted to this salad from M&S recently and stumbled across your page as I googled for it to note down the ingredients. Never usually leave comments but your opening bit was hilarious! Thank you for the recipe!
Lucy Fox says
This receipe is the best!! I love the M&S version, this one tastes identical and I imagine healthier!!
So nice and so easy to do!! Perfect for work lunches!!