Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad is an Instant Staple
Avocado lovers are guaranteed to swoon over this easy salad.
Like the rest of us, Ina Garten has zero interest in spending days toiling away in a hot kitchen, and that's exactly what makes the first recipe shared from her cookbook, Cook Like A Pro, such a delight.
Garten graced our Instagram timelines with her Tomato & Avocado Salad from her cookbook and we'd be lying if we said it didn't have us running for the produce aisle. This colorful, juicy, and easy-to-make salad features an A-list cast of stars—tomatoes, avocados, red onion, and arugula—topped off with a fresh lemon dressing. Like many of her tasty recipes, this one deserves a spot in your weekly rotation. Ahead, we share the ingredient list and how Garten makes this refreshing salad. Plus, a few recipes that you can perfectly pair her salad with.
Ingredients You'll Need
This light, flavorful, and delicious tossed salad is made with a plethora of fresh ingredients. Here's what you'll need to make the salad:
Lemons
Hass avocados
Cherry or grape tomatoes
Red onion
Olive oil
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper
Baby arugula
How to Make Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad
She starts by gently tossing diced Hass avocados with lemon juice, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion. Then, she adds in a modest helping of her foolproof dressing featuring more lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Finally comes the fresh, peppery arugula and enough dressing to moisten the ingredients completely, and voila: a delicious, sweat-free accompaniment to your main course.
For the full recipe, visit BarefootContessa.com, or pick up a copy of Garten's cookbook, Cook Like A Pro.
Recipes to Pair With Ina Garten's Tomato & Avocado Salad
These delicious entree choices won't disappoint alongside Garten's freshly tossed salad.
Key West Chicken
Kick up your basic chicken a notch with this Key West chicken recipe. Marinated with citrusy orange and lime juices, sweet honey, tangy tamari, and garlic, this chicken breast is packed with lots of bold flavors that make every bite feel like you're in paradise. Pair it with the tomato and avocado salad for a complete and healthy meal.
Fresh Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Dressing
These crusty on the outside, tender on the inside salmon cakes are the ideal match to Garten's light and lemony salad. Chop fish by hand instead of tossing it in the food processor for the best texture. We also recommend using the meat at the tail for additional flavor from the fat.
Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks
These oven-baked drumsticks are ready and on your plate in less than an hour. The herby and juicy chicken will allow the complex, fruity flavors in Garten's salad to really shine.
Pan-Seared Flank Steak with Herb Sauce
Who says steak can't be a weeknight meal? Try this flank steak recipe for tender, juicy meat that only takes 35 minutes to make. Purchase flanks that are similar in thickness so they all cook evenly. Serve with the tomato and avocado salad and roasted potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
Spicy Grilled Chicken Breasts
The secret to this perfectly cooked juicy chicken breast? Brining the chicken before grilling, which holds in all the moisture. After eating a bite of this spicy chicken, you'll want to take a bite of the refreshing tomato and avocado salad—they simply complement each other.
Simple Pan-Seared Fish
For a nutritious meal, serve this easy pan-seared fish with the colorful tossed tomato and avocado salad. The honey-mustard vinaigrette enhances the fillets. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.
Related: Ina Garten's Favorite Vinaigrette Recipe
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Read the original article on Southern Living.