This salad is a year-round winner in this household.
This salad tastes best when using perfectly ripe ingredients
The salad flavor gets better with time, so allowing it to marinate at room temperature for a little while will truly solidify it's perfection.
Tip! Expediting tomato's ripeness can be achieved by putting them in a window facing sunlight for a couple of days.
The cucumbers should be fresh and firm, avoid soft or overripe - you want crunch!
Avocados should be ripe, slightly soft, and bright green with no brown spots upon opening
Ingredients
The Vegetables:
4 tomatoes (medium size, fresh and ripe)
4 baby cucumbers (fresh and firm)
1 Hass avocado (ripe and slightly soft)
1/2 red onion (medium size, peeled and diced)
1/2 bunch fresh basil (rinsed, dried and finely chopped)
1 pinch granulated sugar
The dressing:
6 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (good quality)
3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
3/4 tsp kosher salt
3/4 tsp granulated sugar
1 garlic clove (pressed)
1 tsp dried oregano
1 pinch black pepper (freshly ground)
Instructions
Core the tomatoes, cut in half, then cut each half lengthwise into 3 wedges. Then cut each wedge in half crosswise. Place the tomatoes in a large bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of sugar and give them a quick toss.
Cut off the ends of the cucumbers. Using a vegetable peeler, make long stripes going top down. Slice into 1/4" thick slices slightly on the diagonal. Transfer to the bowl with the tomatoes.
Cut the avocado in 4 quarters lengthwise and remove the pit. Gently remove the skin, then slice into 3/8" thick slices on the diagonal and add to tomatoes and cucumbers, along with the diced onion and chopped basil.
To prepare the dressing, throw all of the dressing ingredients into a small bowl and whisk together vigorously, until well blended.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently using both hands. You can serve immediately or cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let sit at room temperature until ready to serve. This salad only gets better with time.
Nutrition
Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 454mg | Potassium: 963mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1365IU | Vitamin C: 32.8mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 1.5mg