Avocado Salad

When I was a teenager, my friend T and I used to slice up avocados and tomatoes. We'd put the avocados in a layer on the bottom of the plate, then top with tomatoes, then top with lots of salt and lemon juice. It always felt like a wonderful treat eating that (and drinking all the juices left on the plate).

I'm all moved into my place. A few things are still at P's (mostly athletic gear), which I'll pick up as I can, when I'm visiting Francis. But other than that I'm moved and completely unpacked. I even managed to get all my art hung on the walls. My kitchen, however, is pretty small. It's a big transition going from the large kitchens I've used over the last 15 years to a little bitty kitchen. It's small enough that I'm using the dishwasher to store dishes rather than to wash them. Now, I'm not complaining about the size; it's cozy in there and it seriously limits the amount of kitchen stuff I can buy (i.e., I bought an old Oster blender on eBay and I'm still not sure where it'll fit). But it is a bit of an adjustment.

Here, take a look for yourselves:






Anyway, while I'm learning how to effectively work in a small space, I'm going with simple foods, often uncooked. I bought an avocado, which made me think about all those times T and I had eaten that plate of simple salad. I woke up craving that salad for breakfast. Since, as per usual, I woke up not too long before I needed to dash out the door to get to class, I didn't want to spend a lot of time working on slicing and arranging things nicely. So I just diced it all up, and added some celery for crunch. It was a really refreshing breakfast, which would be more filling if you ate it with some bread (and maybe pickles). Hope you enjoy!

1 avocado, cut into cubes
1 roma tomato, cut into cubes
1/8 cup celery, minced
salt to taste
juice of a lime

Mix together and eat. This is good chilled or room temperature. Serves 1 (maybe 2 people if it's being eaten as a small side).

Comments

  1. j.9:30 AM

    If you slice instead of dice that same mix ('capt maybe the celery...onions instead?) is *amazing* as part of an open faced grilled mozzarella sammich. Using the broiler, toast the bread. While it's toasting, slice the cheese. While the cheese is melting, slice the veg. top it, squeeze on the lime juice, and you're done. Maybe not easy enough?... Dunno...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Allie9:17 PM

    OMG j, that is not only easy enough but it sounds freaking delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chile8:18 AM

    I could eat that for breakfast... I used to make an open face avocado sandwich modeled after one served at a health food store's lunch counter. They smashed avocado on the bread, added slices of tomato, bell pepper, and red onion. Then topped it with a slice of Muenster cheese before putting it under the broiler. It was served with sprouts and toasted pumpkin seeds on the side.

    I've had small kitchens before. After a while, you will adjust to the limited space.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Allie9:50 AM

    Oh, Chile. You and j are killing me with the sandwiches! I'm going to have to bake some bread, looks like. Yum.

    I'm pretty sure I've lived SOMEWHERE with a small kitchen before (maybe when I was 18 or something?), though I did it on a teenager's cookware limitations. I'm starting to adjust, and I agree that as time goes by, I probably won't really notice it anymore. The only "negative" long-term affect is that I can't really be buying anymore kitchen stuff (oh noes!), and that I'll have to be somewhat more creative when I make baklava in terms of counter space.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tara12:10 PM

    Ok, now I’m hungry and craving a big ol’ cup of the juice. I recently made this with fresh tomatoes from the garden and the kids are hooked. I'm not so sure about the celery, but I'll give it a try next time and I'll let you know what I think.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Allie12:44 PM

    Yeah, the juice really is the best part. You can't use a lot of celery or it throws the whole thing off. I just put in a tiny bit to add a little textural variance.

    It makes me really happy to know the kids are carrying on this tradition. Seriously. No one should live without it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dea-chan10:21 AM

    Look at all of those cupboards! And a pantry! Oh wow I am so jealous of your kitchen. Mine is "beautiful" (read: slate floors, marble counter, etc.) but for storage? Nothing. And useable counterspace? Two blocks the size of the stove (not next to each other of course), and one usually has drying dishes on it.

    Sorry, had to comment about how your kitchen is truly marvelous, and you should be fine with it. It seems like a cute apartment.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Allie11:12 AM

    Dea-chan,

    I'm glad to hear you say that! I feel like there's almost no storage or counter space, but it sounds like relative to what you're working with it's a ton.

    I am adjusting to it, though.

    ReplyDelete

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