Citrus, Beet and Avocado Salad
This is winter’s caprese: shingled slices of the season’s peak produce dressed simply with olive oil, salt and pepper. The sweet citrus, creamy avocado and earthy beets are really all you need, but trio can serve as a base for salads all year long. Add protein (fresh or tinned seafood, grains, legumes), dairy (burrata, stracciatella, yogurt, feta), more vegetables or fruits (baby greens, chicories, radishes, cucumbers), and flavor boosters like toasted whole spices or nuts, crushed red pepper, herbs, shallots or olives. The beets can be steamed or roasted, or you can purchase them precooked. Any way you make it, this easy-to-assemble salad is a bright, beautiful spot in winter’s shorter, darker days.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 4 persons
Ingredients
- 2large or 3 medium sweet citrus fruits (such as oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, satsumas or a mix)
- 3medium cooked whole beets
- Flaky sea salt and black pepper
- 1large, ripe avocado
- 2tablespoons fresh lemon juice, plus more as needed
- 2tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Instructions
Step 1
Cut off the tops and bottoms of the citrus. Working one fruit at a time, place it on one of the cut sides. Starting from the top of the fruit, use a sharp paring knife to follow the curve of the fruit to cut away the peel and pith. Reserve the peels. Slice the fruit into ¼-inch-thick rounds and remove the seeds. Transfer the fruit slices to a platter and repeat with the remaining citrus. Pour the citrus juices from the cutting board over the dish.Step 2
Peel and slice the beets into ¼-inch-thick rounds. Arrange on the platter so they overlap slightly with the citrus. Season with salt and pepper and squeeze the juice from the citrus peels over everything.Step 3
Halve and pit the avocado, then thinly slice it crosswise. Nestle among the beets and citrus. Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil. Taste and adjust brightness (with lemon juice), richness (with oil), and depth of flavor (with salt) until it tastes refreshing. Serve right away.