Marinated Avocado Salad

Marinated Avocado Salad Recipe - Delicious and Nutritious

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 0 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Marinated Avocado Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines creamy avocados with tangy marinade and fresh tomatoes. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish for a summer barbecue.

History

The origins of Marinated Avocado Salad are not clear, but avocados have been enjoyed for centuries in Central and South America. This recipe likely originated as a way to showcase the rich and creamy texture of avocados in a simple and delicious salad.

Ingredients

0.5 cup of cider vinegar
0.5 cup of lemon juice
0.5 cup of olive oil
1 tsp of powdered mustard
1 tsp of powdered paprika
1 tsp of salt
3 california avocados
2 large tomatoes
2 cups of mild-flavored mesclun or other interesting greens

How to prepare

Combine the first six ingredients in a glass jar with a screw-on lid. Refrigerate for two to four hours, shaking occasionally.
Dice three soft peeled California avocados into an airtight plastic refrigerator dish. Add 1.5°C diced tomatoes. Pour enough marinade to fill the container 0.75 full. Close the lid and shake the plastic container until the tomatoes and avocados are thoroughly coated with the marinade.
Marinate for two to four hours, shaking and inverting the container at least every fifteen minutes.
In a large salad bowl, toss mesclun or other greens. Pour the tomato-avocado-marinade mixture over the greens and toss thoroughly.
Serve in salad bowls on lettuce leaves.
To make it a light meal in a bowl, toss in thinly sliced summer sausage OR crabmeat OR cubed turkey breast before serving. Sprinkle Italian-flavored croutons over it.

Variations

Add diced red onion or bell peppers for extra flavor and crunch.
Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese or toasted nuts for added texture.
Use different types of greens, such as arugula or spinach, for a different flavor profile.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to use ripe avocados for the best flavor and texture.

- Make sure to shake the marinade occasionally to ensure that the flavors are evenly distributed.

- Feel free to customize this salad with your favorite greens or protein options.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Marinated Avocado Salad as a side dish for grilled chicken or fish, or enjoy it on its own as a light lunch.

Cooking Techniques

Marinating the avocados and tomatoes helps to infuse them with flavor and soften their textures, creating a delicious and refreshing salad.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have cider vinegar, you can use white wine vinegar or lemon juice as a substitute. You can also use any type of mild-flavored greens in place of mesclun.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the marinade and marinate the avocados and tomatoes ahead of time, then toss the salad together just before serving.

Presentation Ideas

Serve Marinated Avocado Salad in individual salad bowls on a bed of lettuce leaves for a beautiful presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika for added color.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Marinated Avocado Salad with a crisp white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio, for a refreshing and delicious meal.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Marinated Avocado Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Do not freeze, as the avocados will become mushy.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Marinated Avocado Salad contains approximately 250 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Marinated Avocado Salad contains approximately 10 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Marinated Avocado Salad contains approximately 20 grams of healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil.

Proteins

Each serving of Marinated Avocado Salad contains approximately 3 grams of protein.

Vitamins and minerals

Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6, as well as folate and potassium. Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium and folate.

Alergens

This recipe contains no common allergens, but be sure to check for any individual allergies to specific ingredients.

Summary

Marinated Avocado Salad is a nutritious dish that is rich in healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. It is a great option for a light and refreshing meal.

Summary

Marinated Avocado Salad is a simple and delicious dish that highlights the creamy texture of avocados and the tangy flavors of the marinade. This salad is perfect for a light and refreshing meal, and can be customized with your favorite ingredients for a unique twist. Enjoy this salad as a side dish or a light lunch for a nutritious and satisfying meal.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the excitement that washed over me when I first saw this recipe for Marinated Avocado Salad. It was a warm summer day, and I had just returned from a trip to Mexico where I had indulged in the most delicious avocado dishes. As soon as I laid eyes on the ingredients and instructions for this salad, I knew I had to try it out for myself.

The recipe was given to me by an old friend I had met on my travels. She was a local woman who had invited me into her home to share a meal with her family. As we sat around the table enjoying the array of vibrant dishes she had prepared, she told me about this particular salad that she had learned to make from her mother.

The secret, she explained, was in the marination process. The avocados needed to be left to soak in a tangy dressing for at least an hour before serving, allowing the flavors to fully develop and meld together. I listened intently as she described each step, making mental notes of the ingredients and techniques she used.

When I returned home from my trip, I wasted no time in gathering the necessary ingredients to recreate the Marinated Avocado Salad. I carefully sliced the ripe avocados and placed them in a bowl, ready to be coated in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. The aroma that wafted from the bowl as I stirred the ingredients together was intoxicating, transporting me back to the sunny days spent in Mexico.

As I let the salad marinate in the refrigerator, I thought about all the different recipes I had collected over the years. Each one held a special memory, a connection to a place or a person that had influenced my culinary journey. From my grandmother's hearty stews to my mother's delicate pastries, I had inherited a love for cooking that had shaped my life in ways I never could have imagined.

The hour passed quickly, and soon it was time to unveil the Marinated Avocado Salad to my family. The vibrant colors of the avocados glistened in the sunlight, the tangy dressing clinging to each slice. As we sat around the table, savoring each bite, I could see the delight in my loved ones' faces as they tasted the flavors I had carefully crafted.

From that moment on, the Marinated Avocado Salad became a staple in our household. It was requested at every family gathering, shared with friends and neighbors, and even featured in local cooking competitions. I took pride in knowing that this recipe, passed down to me by a kind stranger in a foreign land, had brought joy and nourishment to those around me.

In the years that followed, I continued to experiment with the recipe, adding my own twists and variations to suit different occasions and tastes. Sometimes I would include diced tomatoes and onions for a fresh salsa-like twist, or sprinkle toasted nuts and seeds for an added crunch. No matter how I chose to serve it, the Marinated Avocado Salad always remained a crowd favorite.

As I look back on that fateful day when I first discovered the recipe, I am reminded of the power of food to connect us to our past and present. Each dish we create carries with it a story, a memory, a piece of our identity that we share with others. And so, I will continue to cook, to learn, and to pass on the recipes that have shaped me into the woman I am today.

So if you ever find yourself craving a taste of something different, something exotic and flavorful, I urge you to try out the Marinated Avocado Salad. Let its vibrant colors and bold flavors transport you to a sunny day in Mexico, where a kind stranger shared a piece of her world with me. And who knows, perhaps you too will be inspired to create your own culinary masterpiece, weaving together the threads of your past and present into a tapestry of taste and tradition.