Avocado and Watercress Salad with Green Beans

Description

This salad has lots of great tastes and textures. Avocado, cucumber, green beans, watercress and mint combine for a very fresh and exciting recipe.

To keep watercress fresh, wrap it in damp paper towels and put it in a plastic bag. It may be stored this way for 4 days, then just before making the salad re-crisp the watercress by soaking it in a bowl of ice water for a few minuites.

Ingredients:

0 juice of one lemon

1 medium shallot, minced

0.5 t kosher salt, plus more for boiling water

0 freshly ground black pepper, to taste

2 T extra-virgin olive oil

8 oz green beans, trimmed and cut into 1" pieces

1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced thinly

1 bunch watercress, thick stems removed

0.5 c whole mint leaves, loosely packed

0 lemon wedges as garnish

1 large ripe, creamy acocado, such as hass

Summary

Yield	Servings
Source	Inspired by Martha Stewart Living
Prep time	20 minutes
Recipe	First Courses Salad
Ingredients	watercress shallots mint lemon juice green beans cucmber avocado

Directions

Prepare an ice water bath; set aside.

Halve, peel and pit the avocado, cutting it into 1/2" chunks. Put the avocado into a serving bowl large enough for the finished salad. Whisk together shallot, lemon juice, salt, pepper and olive oil until well emulsified and creamy. Pour the mixture over the avocado and toss them until well coated so they do not discolor.

Bring a pot of water to a boil, add salt. Blanch the green beans until tender-crisp, 4-5 minutes. Immediately transfer them to the ice-bath to stop cooking. Drain well, and add them to the bowl with the avocado, followed the cucumber slices, watercress, and mint leaves. Gently toss until the salad is evenly dressed. Season with salt and pepper and serve with additional lemon wedges.

Notes:

serves 4

Inspired by Martha Stewart Living