In this avocado salad, creamy avocados are paired with tomatoes, cucumber and crumbled cotija cheese, then gently tossed with a light dressing of honey, lime juice and cilantro.
It is hard not to start salivating when the words Cinco de Mayo (literal translation "Fifth of May") are mentioned. I mean, really, you just can't beat a celebration that involves margaritas and pounds of guacamole made from perfectly ripe avocados. Of course, this holiday is not just about food. It is commonly, and incorrectly, thought that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. However, it is the commemoration of the victory of the Mexican militia over French forces in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. Store that little gem away for your next game of Trivial Pursuit (serving the opposing team an extra pitcher of margaritas might not hurt either).
If you are going to be indulging in dishes laden with melted cheese and rich mole sauces, it would be prudent to serve something on the lighter side to provide some balance in the meal. This salad is not a traditional Mexican dish, but uses some flavors reminiscent of the cuisine. In fact, this vegetable dish could be seen as a spin-off of a Greek salad. Ripe avocados are paired with tomatoes, cucumber and crumbled cotija cheese, then gently tossed with a light dressing of honey, lime juice and cilantro.
This past weekend, I attended Camp Blogaway, set in the mountains near beautiful Big Bear, California. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow food bloggers, pick up some useful information from the multiple workshops and enjoy the crisp mountain air.
During one of the sponsor presentations, Jan DeLyser of the California Avocado Commission drove home the importance of buying avocados that are grown close to home. Considering that 90 percent of the United States avocado crop is produced in California, these are the avocados that are most likely to be found in your local market. The advantage to buying fruits grown in the United States is the shorter travel time, which translates to avocados that are less likely to be stringy. This salad was made using some perfectly rip avocados I brought home with me from Camp Blogaway.
The dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, honey and salt. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the olive oil until combined. Stir in cilantro and minced jalapeno.
The salad:
In a medium bowl, gentle toss together tomato, cucumber, avocado and cotija cheese.
Pour in dressing a little bit at a time, tossing to combine and tasting to determine the amount of desired dressing. Serve.
Other recipes for Cinco de Mayo:
Roasted Tomatillo Shrimp Tacos with Honey-Lime Slaw
Rick Bayless' Smoky Peanut Mole with Pork Tenderloin
Avocado, Tomato & Cotija Cheese Salad
Dressing:
2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 ½ teaspoon honey
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
½ teaspoon minced jalapeno pepper
Salad:
3 cups chopped (1-inch pieces) English cucumber
2 cups chopped (1-inch pieces) tomato
2 large avocados, cut into 1-inch pieces
â…“ cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, honey and salt. While whisking constantly, slowly pour in the olive oil until combined. Stir in cilantro and minced jalapeno.
Salad:
In a medium bowl, gentle toss together tomato, cucumber, avocado and cotija cheese. Pour in dressing a little bit at a time, tossing to combine and tasting to determine the amount of desired dressing. Serve.
Serves 4 to 6.
Megan
Ive never tried cotija cheese. Well, maybe at a restaurant and didn't really know what it was. This salad looks so fresh and tasty. Now if I could only get some perfect avocados.
Heather @ Multiply Delicious
You had me at avocado! What a beautiful salad and perfect for tomorrow's Cinco de Mayo celebrations....or for any celebration! Thanks for another wonderful recipe.
Maris (In Good Taste)
I am a huge fan of avocados and this looks like the perfect salad for them.
Drick
ya know, anything with avocado is just good eating, we pretty much get only calif haas ones down here, but I did remember getting a gwen variety once that was exceptional, of course, there is a Floridan grown avocado I believe that is much larger and to me, more pulpier, not as tasty... this is a exceptional salad Dara, one that I like a lot, and you know how much I adore my Mexican foods
Kalynskitchen
It looks fantastic, and perfect for Cinco de Mayo!
Marla
Funny you say "a spin-off" of a Greek salad. That is the first thing I thought. Lovely fresh ingredients & colors. Perhaps some of my random Avocado Scones for dessert 😉 xo
Nancy@acommunaltable
Perfect Cinco de Mayo fare!! This would be wonderful scooped onto some tortilla chips and chased with a tall, cold mexican beer (can you tell I haven't had lunch yet??)
Gorgeous photos as always!!
JENNA
this salad looks so light and refreshing! a perfect spring/summer side dish, snack or light lunch!
Katrina
Love this salad! It looks so healthy and tasty. Yum.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Katrina.
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Just the perfect salad to go with my Cinco de Mayo dinner! I love every single ingredient in this and imagine that the combination of them is heavenly. Thanks for a great recipe, Dara!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks so much, Lana. I'd imagine you have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo meal planned.
The Lucky Wife
This sounds delicious. I really want some ideas for avocado... so healthy but not a favorite of mine. I'm thinking with other ingredients like these, though, I'd like it.
Gave you an award today... stop by to check it out when you can!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you. The taste of the avocado melds nicely with the dressing and other veggies. Give it a try!
yeni
what a refreshing and light salad. i love cotija cheese! i agree this would be a great complement to a filling mexican meal, or served with chips like in your photo. thanks for sharing!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I think next time I'll scoop this up with tortilla chips.
briarrose
Oooo....this makes me wish I hadn't just used up my avocados last night. Beautiful, fresh salad.
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Well, luckily there are plenty more avocados waiting in the stores in preparation for Cinco de Mayo.
Jules
Looks delish! Have to go out shopping today so printing out recipe to take to with me. Thanks for another wonderful recipe! 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thanks, Jules. I hope you enjoy it.
Pretend Chef
Avocado... enough said! I am sold on any recipe with avocado in it. This sounds amazing and a recipe I'd love to try. Yummy!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
LOL. I have the same feeling about avocados.
Mimi from California Avocados Direct
Thank you for this beautiful salad! We're always looking for creative salad ideas that include avocados since we raise them on our family farm in So. California. There's nothing like getting an avocado right from the tree and letting it ripen in your own kitchen. For more information, video and recipes about our farm, visit us online. http://www.CaliforniaAvocadosDirect.com
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Mimi. Living in Utah I don't have the opportunity to pick avocados directly from a tree, but am grateful for the ones I find at the market.
claudia lamascolo/aka pegasuslegend
Looks like so much fun, I love avocado anything so this is a must try when I go get these ingredients I am going to love it!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Avocados are a favorite in our household, too. I'd be happy to eat one plain.
Kathy - Panini Happy
This sounds just wonderful. I threw together an impromptu avocado and tomato salad a few nights ago - would have been even better with some cotija cheese. 🙂
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
That's the great thing about a salad like this - almost all of the ingredients are staples, so the salad comes together quickly and with little effort.
stephanie
Happy Cinco De Mayo! I love all these ingredients. Yum!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
Thank you, Stephanie.
Heather (Heather's Dish)
ah, cheese and avocado...match made in heaven! long live cinco de mayo!
Dara (Cookin' Canuck)
I agree - it doesn't get much better than cheese and avocado.