Avocado is a delicious addition to salads and smoothies. Because of its high-fat content and silky texture, it's also a perfect base for salad dressings. Filled with mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats-the "good" ones-all those fatty molecules help carry other flavours around your mouth, making the salad taste even better.
For this dressing, choose ripe avocados. They should have a little give to them, but not be too soft and should have smooth skin. Because avocados oxidise rapidly and change colour from bright green to Gray within minutes, this dressing is best when made right before eating the salad. Although the vinegar will keep it green for a while, it tastes best when mixed in at the last minute.
Tips ~
This dressing is tasty on plain lettuce and really lovely on peppery greens like arugula or mizuna, the pungent flavours of which are toned down by the creamy avocado. It also serves as an excellent foil to something hearty, like kale. Once dressed, let the kale sit a bit to soften in the dressing.
If you only use half the avocado, be sure to cover the remaining half and leave the pit in as is. The pit and a tight cover (like plastic wrap or a special avocado holder) will help keep the remaining flesh green. Store the remaining half in the refrigerator for a day or two.
Recipe Variations ~
There are lots of ways to play with this basic dressing. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Use lemon or lime juice instead of vinegar.
- Whisk in avocado oil, sesame oil, or your favourite salad oil instead of olive oil.
- Add a minced Chile, but be sure to start with very little, taste it, and add more if needed.
- Throw in some fresh cut herbs like cilantro, mint, dill, or parsley.
- Add soy sauce or Tamari instead of salt.
- Grate in some fresh ginger or galangal.
- Use one tablespoon of poppy or sesame seeds to add some crunch.
- Add crispy bacon to the salad. The earthy meat pairs really well with
this fresh and vibrant dressing.
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#Vinaigrette
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