Salad with Avocado & Cilantro-Lime Dressing

I figured the salad was a good recipe to start from our big BBQ from last week.  Especially since salads are a traditional starter, and is at least a bit healthy!

To balance the ribs, beans, bread and delicious butter in our big BBQ meal, I figured a salad was in order. A few weeks ago when we test drove this meal, my friend and fellow American Amy brought a salad over with lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and two salad dressings to choose from! This may not sound so amazing to you, but typical salads here in Germany have a yogurt based salad dressing which while delicious…gets a bit old after awhile. Except for my mother in laws…her salad dressing (or “Salat Soße”) is the best of all German salad dressings. And no, I am not just saying that because she’s my mother in law…it is really amazing!

So, back to the salad Amy brought! Or more importantly, the dressings! She brought a traditional American Ranch (which while it may not look so different from the German salad dressing, my does it taste different!) and a Cilantro-Lime Dressing. I love Cilantro. Almost as much as I love salsa…and therefore knew I had to make this one for myself!

So, to start…for the sauce you need the following ingredients :
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Salt, Jalapeno, Ground Ginger, Balsamic Vinegar, Garlic, Limes, Honey, Olive Oil and of course…Cilantro!

So this salad dressing will combine well, it is best to blend it up. I used an immersion blender, but am guessing a regular blender would work as well. Add all the ingredients to your bowl or blender…
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Then blend…and Voila!
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Just looking at that makes my mouth water!

And now, for the salads…
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Tomatoes, Romaine Lettuce, Yellow Bell Pepper, Red Onion & Avocado

Cut up all ingredients except the avocado and distribute between your serving plates. Leave everything like this until just before serving to avoid brown avocados…
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Just before serving, slice the avocado and add to the salads. Then pour the dressing over. Ready to devour!
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Cilantro-Lime Dressing (12 Servings)

Ingredients :
1 Jalapeno Pepper, Seeded & Coarsely Chopped
1 Clove Garlic
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Ginger
1/4 Cup Lime Juice
1/3 Cup Honey
2 Teaspoons Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 Teaspoon Salt, or to taste
1/4 Cup Cilantro
1/2 Cup Olive Oil

Instructions :
Add all ingredients to a blender or bowl for an immersion blender. Blend until combined.

Salads with Avocado (6 Servings)

Ingredients :
2 Medium Romaine Lettuce Heads, Chopped
2 Medium Tomatoes, Chopped
1 Yellow Bell Pepper, Thinly Sliced
1 Small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced
1/2 Avocado, Thinly Sliced

Instructions :
Chop and slice all ingredients except the avocado. Distribute evenly between 6 salad plates. Just prior to serving slice the avocado and add to the salad. Then add the dressing, and serve!

Sidenote : You can save the other half by putting it cut side down on a small plate, wiggle it a bit until it seals on the plate and putting it in the fridge – Thanks for the tip, Amy!

Dressing recipe adapted from here

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