CITRUS SALAD WITH AVOCADO

Recipe by Ellie Krieger, Special to The Washington Post

This sunny and tropical flavoured salad revolves around the exciting variety of oranges available in citrus season, each with its own flavour profile. Sweet, orange navels, puckery, reddish bloods, and sweet-tart, pink cara caras are few that typically available now at the supermarket - any combination will work here.

The oranges are stripped of peel and pith, then cut into rounds which, when plated, form a brilliant stained-glass-like layer. The fruit is topped with pale green, buttery slices of avocado, then drizzled with a simple, shallot-spiked lemon and olive oil dressing, and finished with a fresh, fragrant sprinkle of cilantro.

CITRUS SALAD WITH AVOCADO

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS 

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped shallot

1 teaspoon honey (may substitute agave nectar)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 medium oranges, preferably a mix of varieties such as cara cara, blood and navel

Flesh of 1 ripe avocado, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

STEPS

Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, shallot, honey, salt and pepper in a liquid measuring cup to form an emulsified dressing.

Slice off the top and bottom of an orange standing it on one cut end. Make a series of downward cuts as you work around the fruit, to remove the peel and all white pith. Repeat with the remaining oranges, then slice them crosswise into thin rounds. Discard any pits.

Arrange the orange slices on individual plates. Fan out or arrange the avocado on top. Drizzle each portion with the dressing and scatter cilantro leaves over the salads, and serve.

Feature Image: Deb Lindsey, The Washington Post