The fresh flavors of radishes, cucumbers and avocados highlight the flavors of springtime beautifully in this easy salad.
By most standards, I had pretty weird taste buds as a kid. My favorite appetizer was smoked oysters dipped in cocktail sauce, I adored toast with mayo and sardines, snacked on radishes whenever I could and ate raw chives straight from the garden at daycare. Surely I was the reason mouthwash was invented!
The thought makes me chuckle because my kids (okay, and most adults) cringe at the thought of at least half of those things. I get it. Sardines and radishes (don’t worry, not together!) are not exactly the most mainstream flavors. But I just can’t help it…their flavors take me straight back to my childhood and I can’t resist reliving the memories that they invoke.
Clearly I’m on an avocado kick right now. My last two recipes, Baked Salmon Meatballs with Creamy Avocado Sauce and Seared Shrimp Salad with Jicama, Strawberries & Avocado, star the creamy fruit. With a dozen avocados in the fridge, we’re throwing them into everything from enchiladas and tacos to panini and mini quesadillas.
The crunchy, sharp radishes are the perfect foil for the creamy avocados and refreshing cucumber. If you don’t use up all of the radishes in this salad, serve alongside other raw veggies with a dollop of hummus for dipping.
This salad is as simple as they come and takes no more than 10 minutes to put together. Next time I’ll be making a double batch of smoked paprika
dressing so that I can pour it over my usual lunchtime green salad.
Other healthy springtime salads:
Cookin’ Canuck’s Grated Cauliflower Salad with Ginger Lime Dressing
Cookin’ Canuck’s Strawberry & Kale Salad with Feta Cheese
A Teaspoon of Happiness’ Spicy Sriracha Broccoli Slaw
The Fig Tree’s Spring Salad with Lemon Chive Vinaigrette
Grab a Plate’s Farro & Pea Salad with Lemon-Mint Vinaigrette
Smoky Cucumber, Radish & Avocado Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped English cucumber
- 1 cup sliced radishes about 8
- 1/2 avocado chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
The Dressing
- juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon agave nectar or h ney
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a serving bowl, combine the cucumber, radishes, avocado and parsley.
- Toss with the dressing. Serve.
The Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, smoked paprika, agave nectar and salt.
Notes
Nutrition
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Martha @ A Family Feast says
I don’t cook with radishes nearly enough! Love the addition of the smoked paprika in that dressing!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
Wow, Dara – this is one of the prettiest salads I’ve seen lately! The colors just burst which makes me know this is something I definitely want to eat – soon! Love it!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I love the juxtaposition of flavors and textures in this salad. I can’t seem to get enough radishes lately so I’ll definitely be trying your recipe.
The Food Hunter says
I see many uses for that smoked dressing! this salad is wonderful
KalynsKitchen says
I love this combination of flavors!
Lily Lau says
Need to pin this for later 😀
Heather | girlichef says
You know what? I LOOOVED radishes as a kid (even more so than now, I think)…so I totally get it. This smoky, crunchy, creamy salad sounds absolutely delicious!
Rose | The Clean Dish says
It does sound like you had extraordinary palate for a child! Your parents must have been chuffed 😉 Easy to feed THIS kid haha! I’m on an avocado kick, too, so your recipe comes at the perfect time! Everything looks so fresh and delicious. Yum!
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Love that you used radishes! My dad grew them growing up (he always had a HUGE garden, And I SO didn’t appreciate it back then…all I wanted was lettuce from the store with no dirt on it, lol) I have always enjoyed the unique crunch & heat of a radish! Gonna try this one out!