Cucumber Avocado Salad with Spicy Ponzu
Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Spicy Ponzu. Crispy cucumbers and creamy avocado get dressed with a sweet and spicy habit forming citrus dressing. Topped with chopped peanuts, chili flakes, sesame seeds and orange zest along with a hint of fresh herbs, you’ve got punches of flavor with delightful crunchy texture which make this simple salad something truly spectacular. Tip: if your avocados are too hard to peel, wrap in aluminum foil and place in a 200F oven for about 10-15 minutes. Cut and peel as usual. This is one that’s on repeat and is truly a delightful summer (or anytime) salad! I recommend doubling the dressing recipe as you’ll want to pour this over so many things. It’s especially delicious over noodle salads and rice and grain bowls. Last night I poured it over Poke Bowls. It’s also great simply tossed with a simple green salad.
Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Spicy Ponzu
Recipe
salad base-
For the cucumber and avocado, choose quantity and ratio to suit your taste I’ll provide the details for the dressing
Persian or English cucumber. If not available, peel waxed variety, and remove seeds
Avocado, sliced into segments- quarters or sixths (I like leaving the areas that surrounded the pit that can catch the dressing and allow it to pool)
2 Tbs chopped peanuts
1 tsp orange zest
Fresh herbs (chives, cilantro, parsley, dill… your choice)
sesame seeds
fresh
Spicy Ponzu Dressing
2 Tbs soy sauce,
2 Tbs orange and/or pineapple juice (I love using an orange pineapple blend)
1 1/2 Tbs honey
1 Tbs grape seed oil
2 Tbs rice wine vinegar
Small splash mirin (optional)
Juice of half a lime
2 tsp chili paste (sambal oelek), you may cut back quantity to suit your taste
1 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Pinch chili flakes.
Fresh ground white pepper
Whisk all ingredients together and enjoy and pour over your salad.
*I recommend doubling this so you have a jar on hand as you’ll be going back for more!
enjoy!!!