Smoked trout, avocado and asparagus salad

An easy, delicious summer salad for 1

I first made this salad when I was doing the 5:2 diet - remember that?

‘Fast days’ when you could only eat 500 calories were always a bit of a challenge but I found if you made yourself a lavish-looking plate of food it helped no end.

(The same goes for occasions when you’re eating on your own. Serve your food on a pretty plate. Make it look appealing. Tear things roughly rather than cutting them into neat cubes.)

I can’t emphasise enough though that you should adapt this - or any other recipe - to what you have to hand.

This was inspired by what I had in the fridge at the time. Asparagus and peas are in season right now (just about in the case of asparagus) which is why I’m republishing it.

You wouldn’t even have to cook them if you picked them straight from the garden.

You could make it with tinned tuna at a pinch if you didn’t have trout or salmon. Or with shredded Little Gems, if you don’t have rocket. Maybe add a couple of finely sliced radishes. Etc etc. (Other substitutions below)

The original abstemiously used 1 tsp of oil (how virtuous I was in those days!) but I don’t think it will kill you to use a tablespoon. No need for more ‘cos the trout and the avocado are quite rich in themselves.

Hot-smoked trout, avocado and asparagus salad

Serves 1