Crispy cucumber and creamy avocado perform a delicate dance with earthy notes of sesame in this most simple of salads. Thin-skinned varieties such as Persian or English cucumbers work best, as they are almost seedless with a robust flesh that stays crisp. But don’t worry if you only have access to seedy cucumbers: Peel them if their skins are thick, then cut them in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds before slicing. No-cook and ready in a matter of minutes, this elegant salad can be dressed up according to your mood. It is a satisfying meal on its own, but it can also be served alongside cold soba noodles, or with brown rice and a fried or jammy egg on top.
Ingredients Yield: 4 servings
For the Sesame Dressing
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
- ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
For the Salad
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 pound cucumbers (such as Persian or English), trimmed and thinly sliced
- 2 green, red or purple scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
- Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
- Toasted sesame seeds, for topping
Preparation
Step 1
- Make the dressing: Place the sesame oil, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, sugar, soy sauce and red-pepper flakes into a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk until emulsified. Taste, and adjust seasonings. (Dressing should taste acidic, a little sweet and salty.)
- When you’re ready to eat, prepare the salad: Halve the avocados and discard the pits. Using a small paring knife, carefully score the avocado flesh into ½-inch cubes, avoiding cutting through the skin. Use a large spoon to scoop out the avocado flesh (in one spoonful, if possible), as close to the skin as possible. Transfer avocado cubes to a large bowl and add the dressing; toss gently.
- Add the cucumbers and scallions and toss everything together. Season with salt and black pepper, top with more sesame seeds, and serve immediately.
source: https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1023249-sesame-cucumber-and-avocado-salad
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)
- 270 calories
- 23 grams fat
- 3 grams saturated fat
- 0 grams trans fat
- 13 grams monounsaturated fat
- 5 grams polyunsaturated fat
- 17 grams carbohydrates
- 8 grams dietary fiber
- 6 grams sugars
- 4 grams protein
- 566 milligrams sodium