Warmer-Weather Avocado Salad

Houston is heating up, and with this new heat, pool parties, get-togethers with friends and summer flavors are on everyone's mind. For Houston, these next two months or so are going to be the best weather we get until September when temperatures drop back to a comfortable (livable) level.

If you're not in Houston, then the idea alone of warm temperatures is almost too tempting to resist. What you need in either case, Houstonite or not, is a delicious, healthy, go-to recipe to make for a day at the pool, out on the lake, or to bring over to family's/friend's house for cook outs.

This week's recipe features all of the best colors + flavors of the season, and also packs a nutritional punch. (and it's delicious. Like, REALLY delicious.) It easily can be modified into a main dish by mixing in cold grilled chicken or cooked shrimp...use your imagination!

Last week's recipe discussed a way to integrate more vegetables into your diet, and this week kind of carries on with that theme. It is way too easy to associate warmer weather with JUST meat on the grill or high calorie potato salad. This recipe introduces more vegetables but, again in a way that makes you even forget you are eating them. Whip up a batch this weekend and test it out... we promise it will be gone before you can even store it in the fridge.


Gather together:
2 diced avocados
Cubed jicama or radishes
Mango
Pineapple
Cilantro
Shallots
Olive Oil 
Orange Juice
Salt 
Opional: cooked chicken or shrimp

The Method:
-Whisk 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon each fresh lime juice and orange juice, 1 minced shallot and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl.
-Add 2 diced avocados, 1 1/2 cups cubed jicama or radishes, 1/2 cup each cubed mango and pineapple and 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Gently toss. Season with salt

Enjoy the complementary flavors of salty, sweet, crispy and soft. 
Be well.