This Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad is a refreshing combination of flavors that perfectly complements any meal. The creaminess of the avocado, the crunch of the cucumber, the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the tang of the red onion, all combined with the richness of mozzarella and a zesty Italian dressing. It's a salad that's both simple to prepare and sophisticated in taste.
The ingredients in this recipe are common and should be easily found in your local supermarket. However, do pay special attention to the avocados and tomatoes. Choose avocados that are ripe but still firm, and Roma tomatoes for their rich flavor and firm flesh which holds up well in salad.
Ingredients for Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Avocados: Avocados add a creamy texture and rich flavor to the salad. They are also packed with healthy fats and fiber.
Cucumber: Cucumber adds a refreshing crunch to the salad. It's also high in hydration and low in calories.
Tomatoes: Tomatoes add a sweet and tangy flavor. They’re also a great source of vitamins A and C.
Red onion: Red onion adds a sharp flavor and crunch to the salad. It's also known for its health benefits including anti-inflammatory effects.
Mozzarella cheese balls: These add a soft texture and mild flavor. They also contribute to the salad's protein content.
Olive oil: Olive oil is used in the dressing, giving the salad a smooth, rich flavor. It's also full of heart-healthy fats.
Lemon juice: Lemon juice adds a bright, fresh flavor to the salad. It also helps the avocado from turning brown.
Italian seasoning: Italian seasoning is a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. It adds a burst of flavor to the salad.
One reader, Blondelle Frick says:
This Italian avocado cucumber tomato salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of fresh ingredients and zesty dressing creates a burst of flavors. It's a perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, and tangy. A must-try for anyone looking for a refreshing and healthy dish!
Techniques for Crafting the Perfect Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
How to prepare the salad: Combine the avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella cheese balls in a large bowl and gently toss them together.
How to make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning until well combined.
How to toss the salad: Add the prepared dressing to the salad ingredients and gently toss to coat everything evenly.
How to season the salad: Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
How To Make Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Creamy avocado, crisp cucumbers, and juicy tomatoes tossed in a tangy olive oil dressing makes this tomato salad a delightfully light and fresh meal!
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2avocados,diced
- 1English cucumber,sliced
- 3roma tomatoes,diced
- ¼cupred onion,sliced
- ½cupmozzarella cheese balls
- 2tbspolive oil
- 2tbsplemon juice
- 1tbspItalian seasoning
- salt and pepper
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella cheese balls. Gently toss.
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In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Add to the vegetables and toss. Add salt and pepper to taste.
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Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 297.87kcal
- Fat: 20.01g
- Saturated Fat: 5.54g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.41g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.94g
- Carbohydrates: 25.51g
- Fiber: 8.27g
- Sugar: 9.24g
- Protein: 8.54g
- Cholesterol: 19.27mg
- Sodium: 792.70mg
- Calcium: 194.25mg
- Potassium: 744.63mg
- Iron: 1.66mg
- Vitamin A: 64.01µg
- Vitamin C: 26.38mg
Pro Tip for Elevating Your Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
When preparing the avocado, make sure to remove the pit and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. This will ensure that you get the most out of your avocado and prevent any unnecessary waste. Additionally, when cutting the cucumber and roma tomatoes, try to keep the pieces roughly the same size. This will not only make the salad more visually appealing, but also ensure that each bite has a balanced mix of flavors. Lastly, when adding the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning dressing, make sure to pour it evenly over the salad and toss gently to avoid crushing the delicate ingredients. This will ensure every ingredient is well-coated and the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing This Salad Recipe
Prep ahead: Chop and prepare the vegetables and cheese in advance to save time when assembling the salad.
Use a mandoline: Slice the cucumber and tomatoes quickly and uniformly using a mandoline for efficient preparation.
Multi-task: While chopping vegetables, simultaneously mix the dressing to save time and streamline the process.
Pre-sliced cheese: Opt for pre-sliced mozzarella cheese to eliminate the need for slicing and save time during preparation.
Efficient assembly: Arrange all ingredients and utensils in an organized manner to facilitate a smooth and efficient assembly process.
Quick dressing: Prepare the dressing in advance and store it in the refrigerator to expedite the salad-making process.
Substitute Ingredients For Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
avocados - Substitute with mangoes: Mangoes can provide a similar creamy texture and a slightly sweet flavor, adding a unique twist to the salad.
english cucumber - Substitute with regular cucumber: Regular cucumbers can be used as a substitute for English cucumbers, as they have a similar crisp texture and mild flavor.
roma tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be used as a substitute for Roma tomatoes, providing a sweet and juicy burst of flavor in the salad.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots can be used as a substitute for red onions, offering a milder and sweeter flavor to the salad.
mozzarella cheese balls - Substitute with feta cheese: Feta cheese can be used as a substitute for mozzarella cheese, providing a tangy and salty flavor to complement the other ingredients.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can be used as a substitute for olive oil, offering a similar richness and a mild, buttery flavor to the salad dressing.
lemon juice - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar can be used as a substitute for lemon juice, providing a tangy and slightly fruity flavor to the salad dressing.
italian seasoning - Substitute with basil, oregano, and thyme: A combination of basil, oregano, and thyme can be used as a substitute for Italian seasoning, providing a similar herbaceous and aromatic flavor profile.
Presenting Your Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
Elevate the avocado: Slice the avocado into elegant fan shapes to showcase its creamy texture and vibrant color.
Create a symmetrical cucumber arrangement: Thinly slice the cucumber and arrange it in a circular pattern, creating a visually appealing and balanced presentation.
Highlight the tomatoes: Cut the roma tomatoes into precise wedges and arrange them in a sunburst pattern to showcase their freshness and flavor.
Garnish with red onion: Finely dice the red onion and sprinkle it delicately over the salad to add a pop of color and a hint of sharpness.
Arrange the mozzarella balls: Place the mozzarella cheese balls strategically around the salad, adding a touch of elegance and creaminess to the dish.
Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice: Use a steady hand to drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the salad, ensuring even distribution and a glossy finish.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning: Lightly dust the salad with Italian seasoning to infuse it with aromatic flavors and add a touch of sophistication.
Season with salt and pepper: Finish the dish by delicately seasoning it with salt and pepper to enhance the flavors and provide a perfect balance of taste.
Essential Tools for Making an Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
- Cutting board: A flat surface for cutting, slicing, and chopping ingredients.
- Chef's knife: A versatile and essential kitchen knife for various cutting and chopping tasks.
- Mixing bowl: Used for combining and tossing salad ingredients.
- Whisk: To mix and emulsify the dressing ingredients.
- Measuring cups and spoons: For accurate measurement of ingredients.
- Salad tongs: For tossing and serving the salad.
- Small bowl: To mix and prepare the dressing.
- Salt and pepper shakers: For seasoning the salad to taste.
Storing and Freezing Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad for Later
This salad is best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The avocado may start to brown slightly, but it will still be safe to eat.
If you want to make this salad ahead of time, prepare all the ingredients except for the avocado and store them separately in the refrigerator. When you're ready to serve, cut the avocado and add it to the salad.
Unfortunately, this salad does not freeze well due to the high water content in the cucumber and tomatoes. The texture of the vegetables will become mushy and unappetizing once thawed.
If you have extra mozzarella balls, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 2 months, but the texture may change slightly once thawed.
To keep your salad looking fresh and vibrant, wait to add the dressing until just before serving. This will prevent the vegetables from becoming soggy and wilted.
Interesting Trivia About Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad
The Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe is a delightful combination of fresh and healthy ingredients. This salad is a perfect blend of creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and flavorful mozzarella cheese balls. The addition of red onion adds a hint of sharpness, while the dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning brings all the flavors together. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. It's a great dish to enjoy during the summer months or as a refreshing side to any meal. Try this Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad for a burst of Mediterranean flavors!
Budget-Friendly: Making Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad at Home
This Italian avocado cucumber tomato salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, such as avocados, cucumbers, and tomatoes, are generally affordable and widely available. The addition of mozzarella cheese and olive oil may slightly increase the cost, but they are used in moderation. The total cost for a household of 4 people would be approximately $10-$15. Overall Verdict: 9/10. This salad is not only economical but also nutritious and flavorful, making it a great choice for a budget-friendly and healthy meal option.
Is This Salad Recipe Healthy?
This Italian avocado cucumber tomato salad recipe is a healthy and refreshing dish that offers a variety of nutritional benefits. The salad is packed with vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats from the avocados, cucumber, tomatoes, and olive oil. The mozzarella cheese balls provide a good source of protein and calcium, while the red onion adds a nice crunch and flavor. The lemon juice and Italian seasoning add a zesty and flavorful touch to the salad without the need for heavy dressings or sauces.
However, there are a few ways to make this salad even healthier:
- Use a reduced-fat or low-moisture mozzarella cheese to cut down on the overall fat and calorie content of the salad
- Add some leafy greens like spinach or arugula to boost the fiber and nutrient content
- Swap out the olive oil for a lighter option like avocado oil or a vinegar-based dressing to reduce the calorie density
- Include some additional colorful vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to increase the antioxidant and phytonutrient profile of the salad
Overall, this salad is a great choice for a light and healthy meal or side dish. With a few simple tweaks, it can be made even more nutritious and satisfying.
Editor's Take on the Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe
This Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe is a delightful combination of fresh and vibrant flavors. The creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, and tangy mozzarella are perfectly complemented by the zesty dressing. The Italian seasoning adds a wonderful herbaceous note, while the red onion provides a subtle kick. This salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light lunch or a side dish for a summer meal. The balance of textures and flavors makes it a standout dish that is sure to impress. Buon appetito!
Why trust this Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad Recipe:
This Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad recipe is a delightful blend of fresh, vibrant ingredients. The combination of creamy avocado, crisp cucumber, and juicy tomatoes creates a harmonious medley of flavors and textures. The addition of mozzarella cheese adds a rich, indulgent element. The dressing, made with olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning, enhances the natural goodness of the ingredients. Trust in the simplicity and authenticity of this recipe to deliver a satisfying and refreshing salad experience. Embrace the wholesome goodness of this dish and savor the essence of Italian-inspired cuisine.
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