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Cucumber and Avocado Salad

By The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen

4.5

(18)

Image may contain Plant Squash Food Vegetable Produce Zucchini Cutlery and Spoon
Cucumber and Avocado SaladRomulo Yanes

Sprinkle salt and sugar on produce like cucumbers, tomatoes, or berries (hold the salt!); let stand for 20-40 minutes. This process, also called maceration, draws out the juices, creating a natural sauce.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    50 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

24 sprigs cilantro
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped peeled ginger
6 garlic cloves, lightly crushed
2 dried chiles de árbol
2 English hothouse cucumbers (about 2 pounds total), cut into 1/2" pieces
1 teaspoon (or more) kosher salt
1 teaspoon sugar
4 celery stalks, thinly sliced on a diagonal
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
2 avocados, halved, pitted, sliced
1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves
Ingredient info: Chiles de árbol are sold at some supermarkets and at Latin markets.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine cilantro sprigs, ginger, garlic, and chiles in a resealable plastic freezer bag; seal. Lightly pound with a skillet or rolling pin until ginger and garlic are well mashed.

    Step 2

    Add cucumbers, 1 teaspoon salt, and sugar. Seal bag; shake to mix. Squeeze bag firmly to slightly mash cucumbers, 1-2 minutes. Place bag in a large bowl; let macerate at room temperature, turning halfway through, until juices form, about 35 minutes.

    Step 3

    Empty contents of bag into bowl; turn bag inside out and scrape out any small bits. Discard cilantro sprigs. Mix in celery, juice, and oil. Season with more salt, if desired.

    Step 4

    Divide avocado among plates; spoon salad over. Garnish with chopped cilantro and basil.

Nutrition Per Serving

Per serving: 190 calories
15 g fat
8 g fiber
#### Nutritional analysis provided by Bon Appétit
TagsSaladCucumberVegetableAvocadoGingerHerbs & SpicesCilantroChile de ÁrbolChileSideDinnerDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeVeganVegetarianRawEasyWeeknight MealsNo-CookSummerBon Appétit
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