Dominican-Style Avocado Salad: Healthy, Flavorful, and Easy to Make
I'm excited to share one of my favorite recipes: Dominican-style avocado salad, also known as Ensalada de Aguacate. This fantastic dish is perfect for using those extra-large Caribbean or Florida avocados. It's light, healthy, and bursting with delicious flavors. I love serving it with rice and beans or over a piece of blackened salmon.
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What Makes Florida Avocados Special?
Florida avocados differ from the more commonly known Hass avocados typically used in guacamole. They are significantly larger and handle humidity better, making them ideal for Florida’s climate. Though they are different in taste and texture compared to Hass avocados, they hold up wonderfully in salads.
Ingredients
One large ripe Florida avocado (Hass avocados can also be used, but Florida avocados work best).
Half of a red onion, thinly sliced.
The juice of two limes.
Two tablespoons of olive oil.
Minced cilantro (optional).
Salt and pepper to taste.
Directions
1. Start by slicing your red onion horizontally to get nice, long strips. We only need half of the onion for this recipe, but feel free to use the whole onion if you love onions.
2. Place the sliced onion in a bowl of cold water. This helps to remove the strong, bitter flavor that raw onions have. Let them soak for about 10 minutes, then drain the water out.
3. Cut your avocado horizontally and remove the seed. If you want, you can try sprouting the seed, but be prepared for a long wait—it takes about 15 years for it to start producing.
4. Slice the avocado in the skin first one way, then the other way, creating a grid pattern. Use a spoon to scoop out the chunky pieces.
5. Immediately after dicing the avocado, add the juice of two limes to prevent it from turning brown.
6. If you’re adding cilantro, mince it up and mix in with the avocado.
7. Add the sliced, drained onions to the avocado mixture.
8. Add the olive oil and mix everything thoroughly.
9. Do a final taste test to see if the salad needs more salt or pepper. Add more and mix until you like how it tastes.
This basic avocado salad recipe is versatile. Feel free to add diced tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers to change it up a bit.