July 9, 2012

Avocado and Romaine Salad with Walnuts

Name: Avocado and Romaine Salad with Walnuts Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 Tablespoons/ 30ml white wine or champagne vinegar; 2 teaspoons fresh shallots, finely minced; 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard; 4 Tablespoons/ 60ml extra virgin olive oil; Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 3 romaine hearts (1 pound), torn into bite-size pieces; 2 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped; 2 to 3 avocados, thinly sliced; ¼ cup/ 28g walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

Cool, crispy romaine, smooth avocados and toasty walnuts are dressed with a Dijon mustard vinaigrette in this easy salad.

Avocado and Romaine Salad with Walnuts, Gourmande in the Kitchen, Sylvie Shirazi Photography, food photography

Late weekend afternoons spent soaking up the sun in the backyard recently has made me realize how a simple change of environment can alter your perspective.

My pace is more leisurely, and my mood greatly improved within minutes of settling into my chair with my stack of magazines, my book and crossword puzzles. Avocados, Gourmande in the Kitchen, Sylvie Shirazi Photography, food photography

This is what I love about the season; all the time spent outdoors. I’ve taken to eating my meals outdoors as frequently as possible as well. While my al fresco meal of choice will always be an evening picnic at the beach, even a quick meal piled onto a tray and taken to the backyard becomes something special this time of year.

This summertime romaine and avocado salad is a recent example of the type of meal that begs to be enjoyed outdoors. It brings together a delicate balance of light yet rich flavors and crunchy and creamy textures.

Avocados, Walnuts, Chives Gourmande in the Kitchen, Sylvie Shirazi Photography, food photography

It’s swiftly becoming our new house salad and it couldn’t be easier to make. It all starts with fresh, crisp hearts of romaine and ripe buttery avocados which make a delicious team in this salad.

Leafy crispy romaine is torn into coarse bites and tossed with a lively mustard vinaigrette; then luscious, creamy avocado slices join the mix along with fresh chives and lightly toasted walnuts.

Romaine, Gourmande in the Kitchen, Sylvie Shirazi Photography, food photography

The dressing is classically French in nature, made with finely chopped shallots, Dijon mustard and white wine vinegar. I usually do two parts olive oil to one part vinegar and a good dose of mustard since I like it nice and spicy but you can make it mellower by increasing the oil and reducing the mustard.

Avocado and Romaine Salad with Walnuts, Gourmande in the Kitchen, Sylvie Shirazi Photography, food photography

What results is a bright, kicky dressing and an effortless salad with lively layers of cool romaine, smooth avocado flesh and toasty walnuts, just the thing for a leisurely outdoor lunch or light dinner.

Serves Serves 4

Avocado and Romaine Salad with Walnuts Recipe

A bright, kicky dressing and an effortless salad with lively layers of cool romaine, smooth avocado flesh and toasty walnuts.

15 minPrep Time

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Ingredients

2 Tablespoons/ 30ml white wine or champagne vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh shallots, finely minced
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 Tablespoons/ 60ml extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 romaine hearts (1 pound), torn into bite-size pieces
2 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
2 to 3 avocados, thinly sliced
¼ cup/ 28g walnuts, lightly toasted and coarsely chopped

Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with the shallots and mustard.
Gradually whisk in the olive oil until incorporated and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the romaine, chives and sliced avocados, toss well.
Top with toasted walnuts and serve.

Notes

Gluten Free, Grain Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo

https://gourmandeinthekitchen.com/avocado-romaine-walnut-salad/

gourmandeinthekitchen.com

What’s your favorite outdoor meal?

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