Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Guacamole Salad


Avocados go on sale quite frequently in my neck of the woods, and when they do I like to buy a whole bunch. Everyone in our house loves them, and it isn't unusual for my kids to split one for a snack after school. I know they are high in fat, but at the same time it's the "good for you" kind. In case you didn't know, Avocados are a fruit and not a vegetable and have the highest protein content of any fruit. They also contain more potassium than bananas, so all in all, despite the fact that they are high in calories, they are really good for you.

Guacamole is always a popular choice in our home and is prepared very frequently, but last week after an abundance of avocados in the refrigerator (it will slow down the ripening process) and having had guacamole a couple of times already, I was ready to find a different recipe using the green fruit. For a second I thought about making Avocado ice cream, but I couldn't quite get "there" mentally, it sounded just a little bit too strange for the time being. So on the internet I went looking. I didn't have to search very long until I found this recipe for Guacamole Salad from none other than the Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten.

The salad sounded like it would be quickly made and I loved that it had a great Southwestern twist to it. Red grape tomatoes, yellow bell peppers, black beans, red onions, green jalapenos and bright green avocados make this salad a colorful feast for your eyes. The salad is dressed with a simple lime and oil dressing which receives a little additional kick from cayenne pepper, and finally diced avocados are added right before serving (to prevent browning) to the mix.

This salad was delicious! Everyone had seconds and this dish will be made over and over again. I served this alongside Southwestern seasoned grilled steaks with some crusty bread. This salad is a beautiful addition to any dinner table and reminded me that I need to look for more of Ina Garten's recipes, which always seem to turn out well.

Guacamole Salad
(adapted from Ina Garten)

Ingredients:

1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and 1/2-inch diced
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup small diced red onion
2 tablespoons minced jalapeno peppers, seeded (2 peppers)
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (2 limes)
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 ripe Hass avocados, seeded, peeled, and 1/2-inch diced

Preparation:

Place the tomatoes, yellow pepper, black beans, red onion, jalapeno peppers, and lime zest in a large bowl. Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, black pepper, garlic, and cayenne pepper and pour over the vegetables. Toss well.
Just before you're ready to serve the salad, fold the avocados into the salad. Check the seasoning and serve at room temperature.

22 comments:

  1. What a good idea. I love avocados and usually slice them into my salad. Great idea to make them the star of the salad. Thanks to you, Susi, and Ina.

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  2. Yes, you are right. Ina's recipe are always a success. Can't wait for her new book that will be coming out in October.
    Great salad that we would love to eat as well.

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  3. With a corn muffin, I could happily make a meal of this beautiful salad. I think avocados are one of the perfect foods and one of the reasons I would never want to be a "locavore".

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  4. This looks fresh and green and all-together wonderful. I'll be making this as soon as I have the avocados. Have a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  5. Two of my favorites, avacados and tomatoes! I do love her recipes, they are always good. Yumm.
    -Gina-

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  6. This salad looks delicious! I'm so with you on the avocados--I can't get enough of them! So glad to have found another yummy recipe for them.

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  7. Gina,
    Avocado is one of those ingredients I can never get enough of, and this salad is a great way to make it shine.

    Tres magnifique et bon appetit!
    CCR
    =:~)

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  8. I love avocados !!!!!! the color of this Guacamole is fantastic

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  9. Oh man! This is perfect! I love avocodos and can eat them everyday! I'll be making this for sure!
    YUM!

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  10. Avocado has become one of my favourites since I have learned how nutritious and delicious they are.
    This guacamole salad looks so fresh and flavourful!

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  11. My favorite fruit! Yum, this looks fantastic!

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  12. Aren't Ina's recipes the best? This looks like a wonderful salad- so colorful and pretty! In fact, your entire meal sounds wonderful.

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  13. Looks so yummy...perfect for still-warm Texas evenings! I love Ina's recipes too!!

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  14. I could hold onto summer a little longer with this salad! It's so fresh and delicious - and sound perfect alongside your steaks.

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  15. This looks wonderful- I bet it would also be good in a pita! I love avocados!

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  16. Those big chunks of avocado look absolutely delicious! I love a good guacamole and I think this salad and I would get along just fine :)

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  17. I was so excited to read this recipe when I saw its title. What a great combination!

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  18. You are so right. Avocados are a good fat. This is a colorful, healthy salad. Love it!

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  19. I totally understand how you feel, we eat guacamole A LOT! This looks like a great variation, thanks!

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  20. The creaminess of the avocados would be wonderful in this recipe. Ina is amazing with what she comes up with, isn't she? ::sigh::

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  21. I definitely love the flavors in this! I'm going to make this for Taco Tuesday night!!! So summery, I love it!

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  22. Those big chunks of avocado look absolutely delicious! I love a good guacamole and I think this salad and I would get along just fine :)This salad looks delicious! I'm so with you on the avocados--I can't get enough of them! So glad to have found another yummy recipe for them.

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