They're full of goodness and great for the waistline but salads can become boring if you always make the same. So stop being timid and try some of these terrific ideas for main course and side salads.

The best salads are fresh, cool, crisp lettuce, sliced tomatoes or cucumbers, with onion, with favorite herbs if desired, home cooked beetroot with vinegar, crunchy radishes, sliced capsicum or carrots. Anyone can make lovely coleslaw with any or all of the following ingredients mixed with their favorite salad dressing: shredded cabbage, onion, carrot, capsicum, cucumber and zucchini. For a change add chopped nuts, sunflower seeds or dried fruits.

REMEMBER, SUCCESS IN SALAD MAKING DEPENDS ON

• Fresh, crisp ingredients.
• Careful washing in running water, if possible.
• Complete removal of moisture after washing. Place in a salad basket or large sieve and shake vegetables using a smooth swinging movement.
• Tear lettuce apart, never cut with a knife.
• Add colour and variety by using tomatoes, raw carrot, beetroot, hard boiled egg, grated apples, stoned plums or dates.
• Flavour with herbs. Parsley should be added just before serving. A few leaves of mint, sage, thyme, dill or chives can all be used raw, in small amounts, to add flavour to salads.