How to Make a Delicious Avocado Salad

Looking for an easy yet delicious way to add some freshness and healthy fats to your meal? An avocado salad is the perfect option! This popular recipe can be served as a side dish or even as a light lunch. With just 20 minutes of cooking time, you'll have a fresh and satisfying salad ready in no time.

This article will guide you through making an avocado salad that not only tastes great but also offers numerous health benefits. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which can help improve your cholesterol levels when consumed regularly. They are also packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals essential for a healthy diet. If you're looking to make this dish even more nutritious, consider adding leafy greens like spinach or lettuce along with your avocado.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Zest from 1 lime
• Extra virgin olive oil or any other salad oil
• Fresh lemon juice

Instructions

To begin preparing your avocado salad, start by washing the avocado thoroughly under cold running water. Once cleaned, remove the skin and pit from the fruit using a knife.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped red onion with salt and pepper to taste. Next, slice the avocado into small cubes or slices depending on personal preference and mix them gently into the onions.

For additional flavor, add zest extracted from one lime over the mixture along with some extra virgin olive oil drizzled onto your salad ingredients. For an extra burst of freshness, toss in chopped cilantro leaves if desired. Finally, finish off by adding a generous splash of fresh lemon juice which will balance out all flavors and preserve the bright green color of the avocado.

At this point, you can either serve immediately or refrigerate your avocado salad until serving time arrives. This dish should be consumed within two days for best results as avocados oxidize quickly when exposed to air turning brownish-black.

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Avocado salad is an excellent choice if you're looking for a light yet flavorful side dish that can enhance any main course. It’s versatile enough to go well with grilled chicken, fish, or simply as part of a hearty vegetable platter.

The nutritional value of this simple salad is impressive too. Each serving contains approximately 140 calories and around half an avocado (about 8 grams) which provides about 5 grams of fiber along with several important nutrients including vitamin K, folate, potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese, niacin, vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, and vitamin E.

If you want to take your avocado salad experience up another notch, consider trying out some variations such as adding other fruits like mango or pineapple, nuts for crunchiness, or even different types of greens. You could also experiment with various dressings made from yogurt, sour cream, mayonnaise, or even a simple vinaigrette.

In conclusion, making an avocado salad is quick, easy, and packed full of wholesome ingredients that contribute towards maintaining good health while providing delicious flavor combinations. Whether you're hosting family dinner parties or just preparing meals for yourself during weekdays, this versatile dish serves as an ideal companion to various dishes and occasions.