Cuban-Style Side Salad
A light, flavorful salad inspired by the simple yet delicious side salads at Cuban restaurants. Typically, these salads are made with lettuce, tomato, onion, avocado, and sometimes cilantro, and dressed with a very basic vinaigrette. But for this recipe, I skip the lettuce—because honestly, I don't think the extra step is necessary. This version still packs all the flavor, with marinated cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and a touch of cilantro. It's the perfect side to any Cuban-style meal.
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients:
1 pint Cherry Tomatoes, halved
1 small Red Onion, thinly sliced
1 Florida Avocado (or Hass avocado), sliced
¼ cup Fresh Cilantro Leaves
2 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
1 tbsp Raw Honey
1 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
Sea Salt and Freshly Cracked Pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Prepare the tomatoes: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a small bowl.
Marinate: In a bowl, combine the tomatoes and onion. Drizzle with EVOO, raw honey, and red wine vinegar. Add salt and pepper to taste, toss to coat, and let sit at room temperature for at least 10-15 minutes. This mellows out the onion and allows the flavors to meld.
Slice the avocado: While the tomatoes and onions marinate, slice the avocado and arrange it on a serving platter or in a large bowl.
Assemble: Pour the marinated tomatoes and onions, along with the dressing, over the avocado slices.
Top with cilantro: Sprinkle fresh cilantro leaves over the salad.
Serve: Toss gently and serve immediately.
This salad is simple but packed with flavor, thanks to the sweet, tangy marinated tomatoes and the creamy avocado. It’s the perfect refreshing side dish to round out a meal, makes a great snack, or can be the base of a light, satisfying lunch paired with some protein.