Kitchen Zen

Olive, Bean & Avocado Salad

Food is like life — it’s all about balance and simplicity.  And although any dish has the potential to hit that sublime yin-yang-ness, salads are probably the easiest and most versatile showcase for a blending of flavors.  Sweet?  Salty?  Sharp?  Smooth?  Those elements are probably already on your shelves and ready to go.

All it takes to make a good salad is a good base, a few well-considered ingredients, and a splash-and-dash dressing of oil and vinegar.  You can mix the dressing in a bowl or simply drizzle on the oil and vinegar and then toss the salad (which is what I do — it’s quicker and works just as well).  Feel free to add herbs and spices as well…and remember that there are many kinds of oils and vinegars to spark your creativity!

The base for this salad: mixed baby lettuces
Other good bases: various tender greens (baby spinach, Romaine lettuce, Boston lettuce, etc.); whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, millet, etc.)

The salty element in this salad: green Queen Sevilla olives
Other good salty elements: salted nuts, salty cheeses such as Parmesan and Romano, soy-based dressings

The sweet element in this salad: sun-dried tomatoes (softened by having poured boiling water over them and letting them sit for an hour)
Other good sweet elements: fruit (including fresh tomatoes), sweet peppers (fresh or roasted), dressings with a bit of honey

The sharp element in this salad: brined artichoke hearts
Other good sharp elements: onions, pickles, capers, pepperoncini, chiles, dressings with sharper vinegars (red wine is more piquant than balsamic or cider)

The smooth elements in this salad: butter beans and avocado
Other good smooth elements: seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, sesame), creamy cheeses such as soft goat cheese or mozzarella, dairy-based dressings with yogurt or cream

Put your chosen elements in a bowl, dress, toss, and serve.

If only balancing a checkbook were this easy!

Tags: artichoke hearts, avocado, balance, beans, olives, salad