Mache Blood Orange Salad
Salad Below
Here is the recipe for the un-named salad below. Most importantly, the measurements don't really need to be followed. Want more avocado, go for it or add more lettuce or jicama. No rules in this recipe, ir is meant to be quick and easy with no hard and fast rules.
1.5 cups of Mache (or Arugula is great too)
2 Blood Oranges or 1 Ruby Grapefruit or 1 Pink Navel Orange (the berry-citrus notes are great, but use any orange or sweet grapefruit)
3/4 cups chopped jicama
1 lemon (lime works too)
1/4 avocado, sliced into bite-sized chunks, use lemon to eliminate the brown spots (use a relatively firm ripe avocado)
salt and pepper to taste
1. Using small sharp knife, cut off peel and white pith from oranges. Working over small bowl, cut between membranes to release orange segments. Reserve the juice.
2. Put the greens on a plate, season with salt and pepper and top with the juice of 1/2 of the lemon. Mix on the plate.
3. Take the chopped jicama, season with a little bit of salt and pepper and the mix with the oranges and reserved juice.
4. Top the salad with avocado, and mix it with your hands or salad tongs.
5. Add the orange and the jicama. Mix lightly or spread evenly.
6. Salad's done*
*Ok my picture had some fish. I purchased pre-seasoned turbot from trader joes, and satueed it for about 2 minutes per side. The seasoning mix was paprika, some citrus and salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil and garlic. This is a good bet. Or take and chicken or fish, marinate for a few minutes in a mix of chopped garlic, a dash of paprika, salt, pepper, lime or lemon juice and a it of honey. Broil, grill or satuee and you'll have a perfect salad topper.
Why this salad is great?
1. There is a lot of fiber w/ oranges, avocados and jicama-- the surprising fiber all-star
2. It is really refreshing
3. No need to make or use dressing!
Oh and another awesome variation? Kill the oranges for pears or apples, a nice crisp sweet variety like fiji, gala or pink lady. Everything else is the same, use the lemon juice or sub a lime and you have a perfect refreshing fall salad. I recommend a more bitter lettuce since the fruit and jicama will be sweet and the avocado is kind of rich so you need that bitter component for balance. I love to cook so I'll try to share more recipes!