Green Bean Avocado Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing
Recipe video above. Copycat of a popular salad at a charcoal chicken chain in Sydney called Chargrill Charlie's. I don't go for their chicken. But they do good salads! Love the avocado on avocado in this. :)Haven't tried but I imagine asparagus and broccolini would be terrific alternatives to the beans (similar shape and texture).Serves 6 to 8 as a side, 3 - 4 as a light meal with crusty bread or soft rolls.
1avocado (large, or 2 medium), diced into 1.5cm / 2/3" pieces
1/2red capsicum / bell pepper, diced
1/2red onion, finely diced
Creamy Avocado Dressing:
1/2cupripe avocado(smush into cup to measure, or estimate - 1/2 medium avo)
3tbspextra virgin olive oil
3tbspsour cream or yogurt(Greek or plain, unsweetened) - OPTIONAL (Note 1)
2tbsplemon juice
1garlic clove, small, minced using garlic crusher (Note 2)
4tbspwater(to thin out, it's very rich!)
1/2tspsalt
1/4tspblack pepper
Instructions
Dressing:
Place all ingredients into a Nutribullet or small food processor and blitz until smooth (including any Extra Flavouring Options suggested in the standalone Creamy Avocado Dressing recipe).
Use water to thin to just pourable consistency (so it's not super gloopy and thick). Taste and add the following to taste: salt, pepper, lemon, oil.
Salad:
Steam green beans using method of choice until soft (I microwave, 5 minutes on high). Drain then leave to cool and dry.
Place remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl with the beans. Drizzle with half the Dressing. Toss. Serve with remaining Dressing on the side.
Presention note: It looks a bit of a mess once tossed. If you're serving to impress, just drizzle the Avocado Dressing over and take to the table like that (see in post, it's much prettier!).
Notes
1. Sour cream or yogurt - adds bit of fresh creaminess to this dressing. Still very tasty without. 2. Garlic - best to use a garlic crusher because it makes the minced garlic "juicy" which is perfect for dressings (rather than minced using a knife - garlic pieces are dry - this is perfect for high heat cooking like stir fries).3. Serving options - as a side dish, or as a light meal with crusty bread or savoury muffins / quick bread. Try one of these: Easy Crusty Artisan Bread, Soft Dinner Rolls, Cheese Muffins, Mediterranean Muffins, Herb & Garlic Quick Bread.4. Storage - keeps for 3 days in the fridge, avocado dressing won't go brown. (Only reason I wouldn't keep for longer is the fresh garlic in the dressing - if you exclude or sub with 1/4 tsp dried garlic powder, it should be good for up to 5 days).5. Nutrition per serving, assuming 8 servings.